Equality bodies

The aforementioned Law entrusts three specialised administrative bodies with the promotion of the principle of equal treatment. These bodies are:

The “Ombudsman” is an Independent Authority, recognised by the 2001 Constitutional Revision.

The Ombudsman is competent under the anti-discrimination for the implementation of the Equal Treatment Principle regardless of racial or ethnic origin, religious or other beliefs, age, disability or sexual orientation in the public services, drafting reports and making investigations upon complaints for violation of the principle (in any field; not only in occupation and employment). It can, also, conduct independent surveys concerning discrimination and publish independent reports and making recommendations concerning discrimination.

The Equal Treatment Committee is supervised by the Minister of Justice. Its competence will cover any field with the exception of public sector but it does not cover employment and occupation. Therefore, it will examine complaints for violation of the equal treatment principle in its field of competence and will try to conciliate the conflicting parties. It can, also, conduct independent surveys concerning discrimination and publish independent reports and making recommendations concerning discrimination. The Committee has no authority to inflict sanctions of any kind. In contrary, the Committee has the right to hear witnesses and the right to demand information to be supplied by the accused or third party (public authority or individual).

The Labour Inspection is a governmental body which is active only in the private sector and in the field of employment and occupation. The Inspection will be acting as conciliator between employer and employee and it can also impose fines (payable to the State and not to the Employee), in case of a finding of violation of the equal treatment principle. It can, also, conduct independent surveys concerning discrimination and publish independent reports and making recommendations concerning discrimination. The Inspection has the right to hear witnesses and the right to demand information to be supplied by the accused or third party (public authority or individual).