The work of the Swedish Equality Ombudsman - Indevelop
The work of the Swedish Equality Ombudsman - Indevelop
The work of the Swedish Equality Ombudsman - Indevelop
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>work</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Swedish</strong><br />
<strong>Equality</strong> <strong>Ombudsman</strong> -<br />
an overview<br />
Mattias Falk, International secretary<br />
www.do.se, do@do.se, +46 (0) 8-120 20 700
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Equality</strong> <strong>Ombudsman</strong> – Pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />
A governmental agency formed on 1 January 2009<br />
Has replaced four previous anti-discrimination<br />
ombudsmen<br />
<strong>The</strong> main task is combating discrimination and<br />
promoting equal rights and opportunities<br />
Page 2
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Equality</strong> <strong>Ombudsman</strong> – Pr<strong>of</strong>ile (2/3)<br />
Ms. Agneta Broberg is <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ombudsman</strong> and Director-<br />
General <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> agency<br />
An Advisory Council (appointed by <strong>the</strong> agency)<br />
Ca 100 staff members<br />
Budget <strong>of</strong> 95 million SEK (ca 11 million EUR)<br />
Page 3
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Equality</strong> <strong>Ombudsman</strong> – pr<strong>of</strong>ile (3/3)<br />
Member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> European Net<strong>work</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Equality</strong> bodies<br />
(Equinet)<br />
Accredited as a National Human Rights Institution<br />
(NHRI), with ”B”-status<br />
Page 4
<strong>The</strong> principal <strong>of</strong> equal treatment – a<br />
fundamental human right<br />
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and<br />
rights. <strong>The</strong>y are endowed with reason and conscience<br />
and should act towards one ano<strong>the</strong>r in a spirit <strong>of</strong><br />
bro<strong>the</strong>rhood.”<br />
(Article 1 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Universal Declaration<br />
<strong>of</strong> Human Rights)<br />
Page 5
Antidiscrimination legislation<br />
Children<br />
and pupils<br />
One law –<br />
one<br />
ombudsman<br />
Working life<br />
Higher<br />
education<br />
Goods and<br />
services<br />
Unlawful<br />
discrimination<br />
1971 1980 1994-99<br />
2001 2003 2006 2009<br />
Human Rights/EU-law<br />
Page 6
Grounds <strong>of</strong> discrimination covered by <strong>the</strong><br />
Discrimination Act (2008:567)<br />
Gender<br />
Transgender identity or expression<br />
Ethnicity<br />
Religion or o<strong>the</strong>r belief<br />
Disability<br />
Sexual Orientation<br />
Age<br />
Page 7
Main areas covered by <strong>the</strong> Discrimination<br />
Act<br />
Working life<br />
Education<br />
Goods and services<br />
– Shops, restaurants, housing, insurance, loans<br />
– National Social Insurance System<br />
– Health and medical care<br />
– Social Services<br />
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A closer look at <strong>the</strong> Discrimination Act<br />
<strong>The</strong> prohibition <strong>of</strong> discrimination<br />
– Direct discrimination<br />
– Indirect discrimination<br />
– Harassment<br />
– Victimisation (retaliation)<br />
Obligation to investigate and stop harassment from o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
– Employment<br />
– Education<br />
Obligation to take proactive measures<br />
– Employment<br />
– Education<br />
Page 9
Related legislation – <strong>the</strong> Parental Leave Act<br />
(1995:584)<br />
Ban on unfavourable treatment in connection with<br />
parental leave:<br />
employment/dismissal.<br />
promotion, training for promotion.<br />
vocational training on-<strong>the</strong>-job.<br />
salary terms, o<strong>the</strong>r terms <strong>of</strong> employment.<br />
Page 10
Tasks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Equality</strong> <strong>Ombudsman</strong><br />
Monitor compliance with <strong>the</strong> statutory prohibitions <strong>of</strong> discrimination<br />
and unfavourable treatment due to parental leave.<br />
– Investigate individual complaints.<br />
– Bring claims for compensation (damages) in court.<br />
Monitor compliance with obligation <strong>of</strong> employers and education<br />
providers to take pro-active measures to prevent discrimination.<br />
Provide advice and support.<br />
Promote equal rights and opportunities.<br />
Propose legislative amendments and o<strong>the</strong>r anti-discrimination<br />
measures to <strong>the</strong> Government.<br />
Page 11
To combat discrimination…<br />
Roma women are stopped<br />
when entering buses,<br />
shops or hotels, or denied<br />
renting flats.<br />
Page 12
To combat discrimination…<br />
25 percent <strong>of</strong> homo- or<br />
bisexual employees do<br />
not feel comfortable<br />
about being open about<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir sexual orientation at<br />
<strong>work</strong>.<br />
Page 13
To combat discrimination…<br />
Women (and men) are not<br />
allowed to wear<br />
headscarves or o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
signs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir religion or<br />
belief.<br />
Page 14
To combat discrimination…<br />
Elderly people are<br />
disadvantaged in<br />
employment.<br />
Page 15
To combat discrimination…<br />
Pregnant women are not<br />
recruited, or lose <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
jobs.<br />
Pregnant women do not<br />
get sick leave benefits if<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir pregnancy makes it<br />
impossible for <strong>the</strong>m to<br />
<strong>work</strong>.<br />
Page 16
To combat discrimination -<br />
intersectionality<br />
- I want <strong>the</strong> same salary as<br />
my <strong>Swedish</strong> co-<strong>work</strong>ers!<br />
- <strong>The</strong> men or <strong>the</strong> women?<br />
Page 17
Complaints by discrimination ground<br />
210 Ethnicity<br />
168<br />
41<br />
82<br />
63<br />
16<br />
514<br />
Disability<br />
Sex<br />
Transgender<br />
Unequal treatment due to parental leave<br />
Religion or o<strong>the</strong>r belief<br />
Sexual orientation<br />
256<br />
485<br />
Age<br />
Ground not mentioned<br />
Total <strong>of</strong> complaints 2012: 1559<br />
Sida 18
Complaints by social area<br />
118<br />
29<br />
61<br />
10<br />
57<br />
22<br />
169<br />
116<br />
33<br />
61 50<br />
Labour Market Politics etc<br />
279<br />
46<br />
507<br />
Employment<br />
Housing<br />
Outside <strong>the</strong> Boundaries <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Act<br />
Insurance and Banking<br />
Health Care<br />
Membership in Labour Market Org<br />
Civil Servants<br />
Restaurants and Shops<br />
Social Securiy<br />
Civil service<br />
Entrepreneurship<br />
Education<br />
Goods and Services, o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Only one complaint in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong><br />
military duty or civil duty in 2012<br />
Sida 19