Party atmosphere as discrimination outlawed
LOUD applause erupted in the public gallery of the States chamber this afternoon after deputies approved a revolution in civil rights to create a fairer and kinder island that does not tolerate discrimination.
A party atmosphere took over the steps to the Royal Court with campaigners singing, cheering, hugging, and crying after the anti-discrimination legislation was passed.
The numerous propositions were passed either unanimously or overwhelmingly, and one of the themes of the debate was that many deputies thought they should have pursued a more ground-breaking agenda.
Deputy Michelle Le Clerc, the president of Employment & Social Security, was one of the mastermind’s behind the project.
She declared the move towards equality and dignity would make a huge difference to people’s lives.
‘Let us take a significant step in Guernsey’s history by agreeing today to outlaw discrimination and stamp out prejudice and show that Guernsey Together means that we value everyone.
‘These proposals are really important in creating the compassionate, just and fair society we all want.’
At its core the provisions will mean that people from previously marginalised groups should be allowed a work and social life on a par with others.
It will be illegal for employers and service providers to discriminate against people who have a ‘protected characteristic’.
In the first phase, which is scheduled to become law in 2022, the characteristics are disability, race, carer status, sexual orientation and religious belief.
The second phase in 2024 includes the further grounds of sex and age discrimination, and a principle of equal pay for work of equal value will be introduced from 2027.
A previously unpublished figure of £50m. a year was put on the current gender pay gap between women and men doing the same jobs for the States.
All deputies spoke in favour of the plans and an amendment which had sought a delay to allow an impact assessment was withdrawn at the last minute.
One of the most sobering speeches came from Policy & Resources vice-president Deputy Lyndon Trott, who highlighted the huge cost
to the taxpayer of introducing equal pay for work of equal value.
He said he had a duty to let States members know the financial impact, and Deputy Peter Ferbrache agreed with him.
‘We’ve got to tell people the truth, we’ve got to say that there are consequences to the decisions that we make.’
The appointed disability champion for the States, Deputy Sarah Hansmann Rouxel, heralded a new direction for civil rights that put an end to ‘them and us’ culture.
She paid tribute to the galvanising work and forbearance of the campaigners.
‘The incredible support on the steps on Wednesday, I think we can take a moment to appreciate the dedication of the amazing volunteers of the Guernsey Disability Alliance, some of whom have been collectively pushing for this legislation for over 22 years.’
Deputy Peter Roffey thought that the victory represented a memorial to the late Dave Purdy, from the GDA, who he said was one of the most persuasive and polite lobbyists he had met.
