BLIND and partially sighted people's talents are being wasted because of discrimination in the workplace, says a prominent Euro MP.

Liz Lynne, the MEP for the Midlands area and vice-president of the employment and social affairs committee, and vice-president of the European Parliament's disability intergroup, hosted a meeting in the European Parliament on Wednesday, November 28 to highlight the continuing difficulties encountered by blind and partially-sighted people in the workplace, and to discuss further EU action on the issue.

She said: "It is scandalous that in the UK 66 per cent of blind and partially-sighted people of working age are unemployed. In Slovakia, Poland, and the Czech Republic this figure rises to about 80 per cent."

Ms Lynne highlighted the need for existing legislation, particularly the European employment legislation which outlaws discrimination on the grounds of disability, and requires employers to make a reasonable adjustment', to enable the participation of disabled workers.

Trade unions, NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and employers are also being called on to inform people of their rights.

"I am delighted that the Commission has now agreed to bring forward new measures next year to outlaw discrimination across the EU outside of employment" Lynne added, "but we must also continue our campaign for a specific disability directive under Article 13 to outlaw discrimination in access to goods and services.

"There is no point in paying lip service to disabled people's rights. We have to continue the fight for all EU citizens, disabled or non-disabled, to be treated equally."