Charity fears new laws on discrimination may be delayed
THE timetable for outlawing age discrimination in Guernsey may differ from the one the community was promised.
Modernising the existing sex discrimination ordinance may also be delayed.
The old States agreed last year that the grounds of age and sex discrimination should form part of phase two of anti-discrimination legislation, to be implemented in 2024.
However, the Government Work Plan, which sets out the priorities for this States term, is unclear about whether that will come to fruition.
The omission has not escaped the attention of Carol Le Page and Karen Blanchford from the Guernsey Disability Alliance.
They are keen that there are no more hold-ups to the protection.
‘If phase two of the discrimination legislation is not undertaken this term, there is concern that the grounds of age would be left out of any protection, particularly in the area of employment.
‘This might mean someone may be dismissed, not employed, or otherwise discriminated against due to their age without any redress under the law.
‘People have more impairments as they grow older.
‘It is therefore important with an ageing population and higher starting age of the payment of the States pension that people affected by disability are not further, or alternatively, discriminated against because of their age.
‘Whilst the GDA is confident that the first phase of the discrimination legislation will be undertaken this States term, it would urge the States to also look at protecting against age discrimination sooner if it is minded to delay phase 2.
‘We have spoken to organisations representing those who might be affected by age discrimination, both young and old, and hope to support them in any way.’
Phase one of the anti-discrimination legislation does feature in the Government Work Plan.
This phase would prohibit discrimination within workplaces and services on the grounds of disability, carer status, race, sexual orientation and religious belief.
The GDA was heartened to find out that these promises would be honoured.
‘The drafting instructions have already been agreed for this work by the previous States and it is understood that the law officers have started drafting.
‘GDA representatives met with the chief minister, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, earlier in the year to discuss prioritisation of work by the new States and had been reassured that work which was more than 50% complete with resources already allocated would be continued.
‘This is one of the four key assumptions used by the States in the Government Work Plan.’
Public service reform is another aspect of the plan which is of great interest to the GDA.
The charity is open-minded about what these changes could mean.
‘It is likely that public service reform priorities will look at right-sizing the public sector with potential opportunities being created for third sector organisations to have their work commissioned.
‘Member organisations already providing services may have further opportunities.
‘However, there is also a potential threat that States services may be cut if the States does not believe it should be providing that service.
‘This may put more pressure on charities working with current service users.’
