Directive 2006/54/EC of European Parliament and of the Council

The Directive declares that equality between men and women is a fundamental principle of Community law under the Treaty establishing the European Community. The Treaty provisions proclaim equality between men and women as a "task" and an "aim" of the Community and impose a positive obligation to promote it in all its activities. It cites the Court of Justice of the European Communities which held that the scope of the principle of equal treatment for men and women cannot be confined to the prohibition of discrimination based on the fact that a person is of one or of the other sex. In view of its purpose and the nature of the rights which it seeks to safeguard, it also applies to discrimination arising from the gender reassignment of a person. Thus, the Directive was issued to ensure the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and occupation. To that end, it contains provisions on:

• Access to employment, including promotion and vocational training.
• Working conditions, including pay.
• Occupational social security schemes.