we receive complaints and issue legal opinions concerning equality and non- discrimination in labour and employment;

we issue a legal opinion (within 30 days) which employers must obligatorily request before dismissing any pregnant worker, any worker who has recently given birth or who is breastfeeding, without which the dismissal is invalid;

we issue a legal opinion (within 30 days) which employers must request in advance when they disagree with part-time or flexitime work for male or female workers with one or more children under the age of 12;

we examine the decisions of the employers not to renew fixed-term contracts of pregnant workers, workers who have recently given birth or who are breastfeeding;

we co-operate with the Working Conditions Authority in the application of legislation on equality and non-discrimination in labour, employment and vocational training;

we register all legal decisions sent by the courts concerning equality and non-discrimination between men and women;

we have been promoting studies and research, disseminating legislation and legal opinions concerning equality and non-discrimination in labour, employment and vocational training, as well as good practices for reconciling work and family life;

we answer individual and businesses queries about applicable legislation (through personal contact, in writing, by telephone, fax and e-mail);

we examine whether or not employment advertisements comply with the rule which prohibits discrimination between women and men in the access to any profession or job;

we award the “Equality is Quality” Prize to businesses and employers that pursue exemplary policies in the equal opportunities area and good practices for reconciling work and family life;

we have been developing and organizing training projects, awareness-enhancing activities and other initiatives, in the fields of equality in labour, employment and vocational training and of reconciliation of work and family life;

we take part in the follow-up commissions of the National Plan for Employment and of the National Action Plan for Inclusion;

we take part in the preparation and implementation of the National Plan for Equality;

we follow up on the questions regarding equality and non-discrimination between women and men in labour, employment and vocational training at the European Union and international organisations levels.

Law no. 35/2004, dated 29th July, regulating Law no. 99/2003,
dated 27th August,
which approved the Labour Code
(Article 496, as amended by paragraph b), Article 17 of Decree-Law no. 164/2007, dated 3rd May, approving the legal framework of the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality)