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                    EU Court Rules Obesity Can Be Disability

   by VOA News

   In a ruling that could affect employers across the continent, the
   European Court of Justice ruled that obesity can be considered a
   disability.

   The court said no EU law prohibits discrimination on the grounds of
   obesity. But if obesity hinders someone's performance at work, it could
   count as a disability. Discrimination on the grounds of disability is
   illegal under European Union law.

   A Danish court had sought a ruling in the case of a child care worker
   who said he was unfairly fired because he is obese. The Danish court
   had specifically asked whether EU law prohibits discrimination on the
   grounds of obesity or whether obesity can be considered a disability.

   The EU court said it is up to the Danish court to determine whether the
   "child minder" Karsten Kaltoft's obesity "falls within the definition
   of disability."

   Kaltoft, who weighs 159 kilograms (350 pounds), said he was fired
   because of his weight, a claim his employers denied.

   [Some material for this report came from AP and AFP.]
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/eu-court-rules-obesity-can-be-disabil
   ity/2564011.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/eu-court-rules-obesity-can-be-disability/2564011.html