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Repetition

Article 1 of the Convention. Prohibited grounds of discrimination. Legislative developments. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of Law No. 136/2015 which came into force in June 2016 and introduces amendments to the Labour Code. The Committee notes that section 9(2) prohibits discrimination in employment and occupation on a wide range of grounds that are already covered by section 1 of the Protection from Discrimination Law No. 10221 of 2010, and adds the grounds of disability, HIV/AIDS or union affiliation. The prohibition of discrimination covers access to employment, access to vocational training, and working conditions including termination of employment and remuneration (section 9(5)). In case of violations of section 9, the Committee notes that under new section 9(10), the burden of proof shifts to the employer once the plaintiff submits evidence upon the basis of which the court may presume discriminatory behaviour. The Committee further notes that new section 32(2) now defines and prohibits both quid pro quo and hostile environment sexual harassment. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 9 of the Labour Code, including on any activities carried out in order to raise awareness of workers, employers and their organizations, as well as of labour inspectors and judges on the new provisions of the Labour Code protecting workers from discrimination in employment and occupation.

Discrimination on the basis of political opinion. The Committee recalls that for a number of years, it has been expressing concern regarding the potentially discriminatory effect of “lustration” laws (Law No. 8043 of 30 November 1995 and afterwards Law No. 10034 of 22 December 2008) which provided for the exclusion of persons who had certain duties under the previous regime from serving in a broad range of public functions. The Committee also recalls that according to an amicus curiae opinion of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, aspects of the new “lustration” Law No. 10034 of 2008 were found to interfere disproportionately with the right to stand for election, the right to work and the right to access to public administration. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication in its report that by Decision No. 9, dated 2 March 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania unanimously decided that the “lustration” Law No. 10034 of 2008 was unconstitutional and consequently without effect.