National
Government promotes women's rights
By h.b. - Mar 3, 2006 - 5:46 PM
email this article
|
Speaking after today’s cabinet meeting which concentrated solely on women’s issues, the deputy Prime Minister, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, told the press that the new equality law for the workplace would be the most important part of equality legislation in Spain since the Constitution.
Article one of the new law speaks of the elimination of discrimination against women, in order to reach a more equal society. The law intends to cover direct and indirect discrimination, as well as sexual abuse. Some women’s associations have complained however that they have not been consulted in the drawing up of the text which is due to be launched officially on March 8th, the day of the working woman.
Under the plans companies with more than 250 workers will have to include their own equality plan in the annual wage round talks. Also included in the legislation is a new eight day paternity leave for both biological or adoptive parents. The measures are expected to be extended to smaller companies later.
The deputy Prime Minister starts an official visit to Kenya and Mozambique on Sunday to take part in a forum and debate between African and European women.