Cablegate: Latvia Bans Discrimination in Employment On the Basis Of

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UNCLAS RIGA 000885

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV ELAB EUN LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA BANS DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ON THE BASIS OF
SEXUAL ORIENTATION

REF: RIGA 533

1. Summary: Latvian President Vike-Freiberga has signed amendments
to Latvia's Labor law adding sexual orientation to the categories of
people protected from employment discrimination and the law takes
effect October 25. The President had vetoed an earlier version of
the law that omitted this group, contrary to EU decisions. End
summary.

2. Reftel reported on the passage by the Latvian parliament of
amendments to the labor law that failed to include sexual
orientation as a protected category as required by EU directives and
the subsequent veto by President Vike-Freiberga. On September 21,
after a heated debate, the Latvian parliament (Saeima) voted 46-35-3
to adopt a revised draft that includes sexual orientation as one of
the protected categories in employment. Many MPs who voted in favor
of the provision privately admitted that they did not vote in
accordance with their conviction, but wanted to avoid possible
punitive action from the European Commission.

3. The president promulgated the revised law on October 11, and it
takes effect on October 25. Under the final version of the
legislation, equal treatment in employment should be provided for
all residents, banning any direct or indirect discrimination on the
grounds of "race, sex, age, disability, religious, political or
other beliefs, national or social origin, material or family status
or sexual orientation."

BAILEY

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