Jersey race discrimination law 'by end of year'

Senator Francis Le Gresley said the law will be introduced gradually so people can get used to it

A Jersey discrimination law should be made public by the end of the year, but it will only stop people being treated unfairly because of their race.

The rules on age, gender, sexual orientation or disability discrimination will be added later.

The draft law has not been made public yet but details of it were discussed at a scrutiny panel meeting in Jersey.

The law has so far taken 12 years to introduce and will bring Jersey in line with other countries.

Jersey's Home Affairs department worked on a previous version of the law and a draft was prepared in 2008.

'Need to comply'

The Social Security department then took it on and after the equality act reformed discrimination laws in the UK, it had to start the law from scratch.

Social Security Minister, Senator Francis Le Gresley, said the department was producing a simplified version of the law.

He said the anti-discrimination law is to be introduced gradually so people can get used to it.

Senator Le Gresley said: "We have certain United Nations conventions that we need to comply with.

"Things like sex discrimination and age discrimination are far more complex and have far greater effect on a workforce and on employers so we will do more consultation and take our time."

If it is approved by the States, it needs to go to the Privy Council for Royal approval which means it could be at least another year before it officially becomes law.