"THE CONSERVATIVES HAVE NO LESSONS TO GIVE IN THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY AT WORK", SAY S&D EURO MPs

"THE CONSERVATIVES HAVE NO LESSONS TO GIVE IN THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY AT WORK", SAY S&D EURO MPs

S&D Euro MPs today vehemently dismissed right wing's accusations of "hypocrisy" or applying "double-standards" in the fight against discrimination in the field of employment policy.

In a joint statement, S&D Group spokesperson for employment and social affairs Alejandro Cercas and the S&D Group negotiator Minodora Cliveti said:

"The Socialists and the Democrats have always had the interests of workers at heart, especially when referring to equal treatment in employment. We have no lessons to receive from the right wing in this regard.

"The negotiations on Adam Kosa's report demonstrate once more that the Conservatives have a very narrow-minded approach to discrimination. They refuse to refer to sexual orientation and gender identity.

"They were against addressing the issue of homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity.

"They also rejected any specific references to racial discrimination and ethnic minorities' discrimination.

"Their vision of women at work is simply unacceptable. They picture women with children as altruist persons able to make the sacrifice of maternity and consequently placing themselves in a disadvantaged position compared to women without children, whom they refer to as those not ready to make the sacrifice of maternity.

"They refused to consider the cases of teachers blocked from certain positions, or even fired, in faith schools because they are non-believers or of the 'wrong' faith or because of private acts; such as getting married to a divorced person for instance.

"We believe measures have to be taken in the framework of the implementation of the European Directive on equal treatment in employment to protect workers from every kind of discrimination.

"Finally, Mr Kosa's behaviour during the whole negotiation process was not opened to dialogue, and he refused to integrate left winged positions in his compromises. The negotiations lacked the normal courtesy and were inequitable since he did not respect several agreements during the final vote.

"The EPP should understand that the work in the European parliament is a collective work, so Mr Kosa has to hear the other political group's views instead of imposing his own ones; even less so when those views are as conservative as Mr Kosa's. The EPP should reflect on why they have received rejection from all the political groups except their own".
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