§ 10. Sir Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce legislation on the issuing of long-service awards by companies. [163442]
§ Jacqui SmithLong-service awards can benefit both employers and employees. Depending on the circumstances, such awards might amount to indirect age discrimination under the Article 13 European Employment Directive, which requires discrimination on the grounds of age in employment and vocational training to be outlawed by December 2006. We intend that our implementing legislation will provide for employers to be able to continue to offer justifiable long-service awards.