The Racial Equality Directive (2000/43/EC) is the key piece of EU legislation combating discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnic origin. It encourages employers and trade unions to engage in social dialogue to promote diversity and challenge racial and ethnic discrimination. Social dialogue initiatives at various levels established common ground between employers and trade unions on the importance of fully integrating minority-origin workers, as well as of taking steps to end all forms of racial or ethnic discrimination. Nevertheless, geographical differences in the awareness of the directive and corresponding national legislation remain among the social partners in the 27 EU Member States. Their views on the directive also differ, with trade union representatives generally showing a more positive assessment of the directive.