European Union – Equality of treatment of men and women. The Court of Justice of the European Union made a preliminary ruling concerning the interpretation of art 4 of Council Directive (EEC) 79/7 (on the progressive implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security). The request had been made in a dispute between X and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health concerning the grant of lump-sum compensation paid following an accident at work.