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Legislation
Much legislation has been introduced both by individual countries and the 
EU to provide protection within the law to promote equality. This includes 
in the UK:
the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act;
the 1975 Equal Pay Act;
the 1976 Race Relations Act;
the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act;
the 2000 Race Relations (Amendment) Act, which places a duty on public 
authorities to promote racial equality in employment, service delivery 
and procurement;
the Equalities Act 2010, which codifies anti- discrimination laws in the 
UK and covers equal pay, sex discrimination, race relations, disability 
discrimination and discrimination in employment on grounds of religion 
or belief, sexual orientation and age;
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Multiculturalism and Diversity 197
the setting up of the Equal Opportunities Commission and the 
Commission for Racial Equality to oversee much of the legislation. Both 
publish codes of practice advising employers on how to avoid discrimi-
natory practices. The two have now merged to form the Equality and 
Human Rights Commission.
Member States of the EU are primarily responsible for their own labour laws, 
but the following have EU- wide application:
The 1989 EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: under Article 31, all workers 
have the right to working conditions that respect their health, safety and 
dignity. Every worker has the right to limitation of maximum working 
hours, daily and weekly rest periods and an annual period of paid leave.
The 1999 Amsterdam Treaty: this treaty made employment and social 
policy a true European concern. It includes regulations to combat 
discrimination. Key points are:
(i)
freedom of movement of workers within the EU;
(ii)
health and safety at work;
(iii)
a maximum working week of 48 hours and four weeks’ holiday a year;
(iv)
non- discrimination applicable to