[4] The prohibition of discrimination based on gender applies in particular to hiring, assignment of tasks, adjustment of working conditions, remuneration, training and professional development, promotion and termination of employment relationships.
The workers can ask the competent authority to establish the existence of the discrimination, to stop and prohibit it and to order the payment of the salary due (with retroactive effect up to five years).
To make it easier for the injured parties, the law provides for the reduction of the burden of proof in important areas: the existence of discrimination is "presumed if the person concerned can substantiate the same by prima facie evidence" (art.
This means that "organisations that have been in existence for at least two years and that have as their object in terms of their articles of incorporation the promotion of gender equality or safeguarding the interests of employees" may, under certain conditions, initiate proceedings or bring an action without the discriminated persons having to expose themselves (art.
[5] Public or private organizations that set up incentive programs to promote equality between women and men in working life may apply for financial assistance (art.
The law also establishes the Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) and defines its tasks (art.