Europa The term ‘ dismissal ‘ contained in article 5(1) of directive no 76/207 must be given a wide meaning ; an age limit for the compulsory redundancy of workers as part of a mass redundancy falls within the term ‘ dismissal ‘ construed in that manner, even if the redundancy involves the grant of an early retirement pension.
In view of the fundamental importance of the principle of equality of treatment for men and women, article 1 (2) of directive no 76/207 on the implementation of that principle as regards access to employment and working conditions, which excludes social security matters from the scope of the directive, must be interpreted strictly. It follows that the exception to the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sex provided for in article 7 (1)(a) of directive no 79/7 on the progressive implementation of the principle of equal treatment in matters of social security applies only to the determination of pensionable age for the purposes of granting old-age and retirement pensions and the possible consequences thereof for other benefits.
Article 5 (1) of directive no 76/207 must be interpreted as meaning that a contractual provision which lays down a single age for the dismissal of men and women under a mass redundancy involving the grant of an early retirement pension, whereas the normal retirement age is different for men and women, does not constitute discrimination on grounds of sex, contrary to community law.
Citations:
C-151/84
European, Employment, Discrimination
Updated: 08 May 2022; Ref: scu.133906