Lesbian and gay employees left out in the cold

(16/5/03) UNISON has condemned the inclusion of a clause in the new sexual orientation equality regulations giving faith-based employers the freedom to sack lesbian and gay employees.

The 2003 Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, laid before Parliament on 8 May 2003, contain exemptions for employers "with an ethos based on religion or belief", allowing them to discriminate against lesbians and gay men on the grounds of their sexual orientation.

The regulations come into force on 1 December 2003.

UNISON general secretary, Dave Prentis, said:

"Betrayal is the only word to describe the way the government has backtracked on this aspect of the new law. Every time we have raised the issue of a possible exemption for religious employers we have been given assurances there would be no wide-ranging provision to permit discrimination.

"What could have been a genuinely positive piece of legislation to protect lesbians and gay men at work has had the heart ripped out if it by the introduction of a clause to mollify bigots.

"It seems the government believes that equality stops at the church gates."

Prentis added that the union is discussing ways to challenge this "flaw" in the regulations.

The regulations directly affect members who work for faith-based charities and voluntary organisations.

They are being brought in as part of the government's obligations under an EU directive which requires member states to develop equality legislation across race, disability, sexual orientation, religion and age strands.

UNISON believes the government's piecemeal development of the new laws has missed the opportunity for a much wider-ranging debate and comprehensive implementation of new equality legislation.

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