Equal Opportunities Commission Wales

Corporate body

Equal Opportunities Commission Wales

The Equal Opportunities Commission was established in 1975 under Section 53 of the Sex Discrimination Act. Its responsibilities under the Act are to work towards the elimination of discrimination, whether on the grounds of sex or marriage; to promote equal opportunities for both men and women; and to keep under review both the Equal Pay Act 1970 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, including the formulation of proposals to amend these acts when required to do so by the Secretary of State or when the Commission itself deems necessary. In addition, in consultation with the Health and Safety Commission, the Commission must also keep under review the legislative provisions concerning health and safety that require different treatment for men and women in the work place. The Commission also provides legal assistance and advice to individuals who believe they have been discriminated against. The Commission is an executive non-departmental public body and is financed by the Department for Education and Employment. Its head office for Great Britain is located in Manchester with smaller offices in Glasgow and Cardiff serving Scotland and Wales respectively; there is also a media enquiries office in London, whilst Northern Ireland has its own separate Commission. There are fourteen Commissioners, all of whom are appointed by the Secretary of State, including specific Commissioners for Scotland and Wales, with a Chief Executive as the principal officer of the Commission responsible for its day to day running.