The EEC directive on equal treatment in social security benefits

Abstract

It is probably fair to say that the introduction of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 owed more to the race relations legislation of the 1960 s than to any other single factor. It is increasingly clear however, that the interpretation and practical workings of that Act have been influenced to a great extent, especially in the Court of Appeal, ¹by entry of the United Kingdom into the European Economic Community. Article 119 of the Treaty of Rome, to which Britain acceded on January 1, 1973, prescribed equal pay² for equal work. This principle was extended to include equal pay for equal value, and equal treatment in access to employment and in conditions of work (the Directive of 9/2/76).³