Two new EU directives designed to strengthen the independent powers of equality bodies across the bloc were formally adopted by the EU Council last week as part of a wider effort to ensure more equal working environments within member states. 

In what has been described by the European Network of Equality Bodies (EQUINET) as “a milestone for equality rights”, the new directives aim to harmonise the enforcement of EU equal treatment laws covering sex, race, ethnic origin, religion, belief, age, and sexual orientation.