The move also provides protection for mothers who choose to breastfeed children of any age in public after the States adopted amendments from St Saviour Deputy Louise Doublet and St John Deputy Tracey Vallois. The original proposition only covered children up to 26 weeks old.
- The option to conciliate/mediate remains open to the parties throughout the process until the conclusion of the Hearing.
- After the Hearing, the Tribunal will issue its Decision, giving Reasons for its Decision.
- If an Applicant is successful in their claim, the Tribunal will make an Award in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Law.
- The Tribunals decision may be appealed to the Royal Court on a point of law only.[/breakout]
Meanwhile, same-sex clubs with more than 25 members – such as the Women’s Institute and the men-only United Club – may be forced to admit members of the opposite sex under the law. This would happen if someone of the opposite sex chose to apply to become a member.
The second phase of the Island’s Discrimination Law will come into effect on 1 September – exactly a year after legislation was brought in for racial discrimination.
Social Security Minister Susie Pinel said: ‘A year ago, the Assembly took an important step forward and passed Jersey’s first discrimination law – it was always clear this was just the first step.
‘It is important that the law commands the support of the community and also avoids placing unfair burdens on businesses and other organisations.
‘There was overwhelming public support – trade unions, associations, business representatives and members of the public all agreed that it was right to extend the discrimination law in these areas.
‘For the most part, not discriminating against someone is common sense.’
Further phased extensions to the law, with legislation against age and disability discrimination are due to come in at a later date.
ONE of Jersey’s oldest social clubs accepted its first female member in September – nearly a century after it first opened its doors.
The Jersey United Services Club welcomed into its membership Dawn O’Malley to bring to an end their 91-year status as an all-male organisation.
Ms O’Malley’s entry to the club was approved after its members voted overwhelmingly in favour of opening membership to ex-service women at the club’s AGM in March.
She joins over 300 male members at the Rue de Funchal-based club, which is recognised as the oldest club in Britain for people who have served in the armed forces.
Her acceptance came on the same day that the JEP revealed that the sexual discrimination law could force single-sex clubs with more than 24 members to admit both men and women.
Ms O’Malley (67), who served 13 years in the Royal Army Corps, said she hoped her membership would encourage other all-male clubs in the Island to accept female members.
‘I am quite proud. It’s a big thing and you do not realise how much of a difference it will make,’ she said.
‘Future generations shouldn’t have discrimination and I hope that other clubs will follow on from this.’
Club president Peter Whittingham said that the club had been contemplating the decision for a number of years after more and more women showed interest in joining.
‘It’s massive for us. In the past it was said that there would never ever be women members, so it’s a big change,’ he said.
