All
forms of workplace discrimination will soon be tackled by a single equality
body, under Government plans to merge the existing agencies.
Plans
for a powerful Commission for Equality and Human Rights have been unveiled by
the DTI to help crack down on discrimination and ensure compliance with new EU
regulations.
The
Government hopes the increased size of the new body will lead to a more
joined-up approach to equality, and more power to promote diversity.
It
will bring together the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), the Equal
Opportunities Commission (EOC) and the Disability Rights Commission, and will
take responsibility for rules on age, religion and sexual orientation.
The
body isn’t expected to be in place until 2006, and will be responsible for promoting
equality in the delivery of public services. But some of the existing equality
bodies fear that a single body may marginalise individual groups and dilute
expertise.
