Glosa do Wyroku Trybunału Sprawiedliwości Unii Europejskiej z dnia 12 stycznia 2023 r. w sprawie C-356/21, J.K. vs. TP S.A. – Osoba, która świadczy usługi na podstawie umowy o dzieło, również podlega antydyskryminacyjnej ochronie (warunki dostępu do prowadzenia działalności na własny rachunek – zakaz dyskryminacji ze względu na orientację seksualną – swoboda wyboru strony umowy)

Abstract

The principle of equal rights for the same obligations is one of the core legal principles. A non-exhaustive catalogue of grounds for discrimination has been listed in the provisions of the constitutional as well as in the European law. This means that only certain grounds for discrimination are specified as examples in those provisions. These include sexual orientation. The commented judgement concerns the allegation of employment and labour discrimination (the so-called conditions for access to self-employment) and the anti-discrimination protection for self-employed persons, i.e. those providing services under a contract for specific work. The Court of Justice of the European Union found that the refusal, based on the sexual orientation of a person, to conclude or renew a contract with that person concerning the performance of specific work by that person in a self-employed activity is a potential factor of discrimination (to be examined by the national court) and cannot be justified by Article 5(3) of the Law on equal treatment. In particular, a position which accepts that freedom of contract allows a refusal to enter into a contract with a person on the basis of that person’s sexual orientation would be to deprive Article 3(1)(a) of Directive 2000/78 of its effectiveness (effet utile), in so far as that provision specifically prohibits any discrimination based on such a ground as regards access to self-employment.