EPF is part of a community programme called Equal - a European Social Fund initiative which tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequality in the labour market. The GB Equal Support Unit is managed by ECOTEC.

The Framework Employment Directive (Directive 2000/78/EC)

On 27 November 2000 The Council adopted Directive 2000/78/EC "Establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation". This Directive arose from the urgent need to tackle employment-related discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation in Europe. While no specific reference were made to people living with HIV, the Directive has certainly helped to improve their situation in the workplace.
Despite this there are still a number of changes that need to be made:
• The Directive should make it clear that people living with HIV are to be included in the definition of disability;
• Member States need to ensure the swift and proper implementation of the Employment Directive;
• Further information campaigns to fight HIV-related stigma amongst the public and employers need to be conducted, since it clearly takes time to challenge people’s attitudes and prejudices; and
• Increased effort should be made to inform people living with HIV of their new rights.

Click here to find out more about how this Directive could affect you