| Abstract [eng] |
The Master's thesis examines the guarantee of equal opportunities for women and men in employment relations by analysing the Lithuanian, international and European Union legal regulation and the practical implementation of this principle. The legal structure of the employment relationship is discussed. The concept of equal treatment and its scope for ensuring equal opportunities are examined. International and European legislation, such as the CEDAW Convention, which aims to promote the adoption and implementation of legislation to eliminate all forms of discrimination in order to achieve de jure and de facto equality between women and men in terms of equal opportunities in society and in the world of work, is discussed. Directive 2006/54/EC of the European Union, which, in order to continue to promote equal opportunities for women and men in employment, provides for clear measures to prevent and combat discrimination in the labour market. The work also deals with equal opportunities in employment relations, emphasising that this topic covers both pre-contractual relations and general employment relations. Employers have an obligation to ensure equal treatment in selection, performance appraisal, reconciliation of family and career and remuneration policies, with a view to preventing any gender – based discrimination. Despite the long-standing debate on ensuring equal opportunities for women and men in employment relations, the implementation of this principle faces various challenges in practice. There is still a gap between the declared objectives and the actual situation on the labour market. The last part of the paper analyses the mechanisms for redress, looking at both judicial and non-judicial remedies. Institutions that ensure the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities, such as the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman and the Labour Disputes Commission, play an important role in protecting workers' rights. However, effective sanctions and clear enforcement measures are often lacking. |
