EU Directives 1499 and 1500 of May 29, 2024, will come into force on June 18, 2024. These directives change the rules governing the essential requirements for the operation of national authorities responsible for supervising the proper implementation of equal treatment principles in the workplace. EU Directives 1499/2024 and 1500/2024, which will come into force on June 18th, are intended to improve the efficiency and ensure the autonomy of equality bodies by strengthening the application of the principle of equal treatment as defined by previous European directives issued in this area. Specifically, Directive 1499, which amends Directives 2000/43 and 2004/113, concerns equal treatment in social security regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, belief, disability, or sexual orientation, while Directive 1500 concerns equality of treatment and equal opportunities between men and women in the workplace. The new directives emphasize the need for national organizations to offer alternative dispute resolution through mediation following national law and practice. However, legal action is still an option if the alternative resolution is not successful. Member states should empower equality authorities to investigate violations of equal treatment principles and, if deemed necessary, to initiate proceedings on behalf of victims or ex officio to defend the public interest. The individual member states will be responsible for providing the EU Commission with information on the implementation of the Directives, particularly regarding the functioning of equality bodies, by June 19th, 2031, and every five years after that.
2024 - Morri Rossetti
