EU to tackle sexual harassment

The European Commission -- the executive arm of the European Union -- is considering tougher measures to combat sexual harassment at work.

The measures, which must also be agreed by EU ministers, make it mandatory for each EU state to recognise sexual harassment as an offence.

Individual employers would be held responsible for tackling the problem at work.

Anti-racism groups have meanwhile welcomed the approval by EU ministers of new laws against racial discrimination.

EU countries which have no race laws will have to introduce them, and laws will have to be strengthened in some other countries.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service