Guernsey States Members to vote on discrimination law

Employers are being encouraged to join free training courses to learn how it will affect them. Credit: PA Images

Guernsey politicians will soon get to vote on whether to introduce the island's long-awaited discrimination law.

If approved, it would make it illegal to discriminate against someone because of their race, disability, carer status, sexual orientation or religious belief.

The Employment and Social Security Committee has now formally put forward the legislation for a States' debate. It is due to come into effect from Sunday 1 October 2023.

However, some in Guernsey have previously called for a delay in bringing in the law, arguing businesses needed time to recover from the pandemic.

The Committe's Vice-President, Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, said: “Fundamentally, this new legislation is about promoting and protecting people’s right to equality of status, opportunity and treatment and non-discrimination on the basis of certain grounds.

“If you are a good employer or service provider that treats your staff and customers fairly and with respect, you have nothing to fear from this legislation."

Employers are being encouraged to join free training courses to learn how it will affect them.