Press Release: Commission closes legal cases after Austria and Finland adopt new employment equality laws

On 8 October 2009 the European Commission decided to suspend infringement proceedings against Austria and Finland following their successful implementation of EU rules to tackle discrimination in the workplace. The cases had been opened because national legislation in both countries was incompatible with the EU's Employment Equality Directive (2000/78/EC), adopted in November 2000 (see also MEMO/08/69 ). The Directive prohibits direct and indirect discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in employment and occupation.