EU corporations can ban headscarves so long as it’s a normal prohibition that doesn’t discriminate in opposition to staff, Europe’s high courtroom mentioned on Thursday, the most recent ruling on a problem that has divided Europe for years. .
The case pertains to a Muslim girl who was advised she couldn’t put on a headband when she utilized for a six-week work traineeship at a Belgian firm.
The agency mentioned it has a neutrality rule, which implies no head overlaying, be it a cap, beanie or scarf, is allowed on its premises. The girl took her grievance to a Belgian courtroom, which later sought recommendation from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
The Luxembourg-based CJEU mentioned there ought to be no direct discrimination in such a ban.
“The internal rule of undertaking prohibiting the visible wearing of religious, philosophical or spiritual signs does not constitute direct discrimination, if it is applied in a general and indivisible manner to all workers,” the judges mentioned.
The CJEU mentioned final yr that EU corporations can ban staff from carrying headscarves underneath sure circumstances if they’re required to take action to undertaking a picture of neutrality to prospects.
In Germany, headband restrictions for girls at work have been controversial for years, principally in relation to aspiring academics and apprentice judges in state faculties.
France, dwelling of Europe’s largest Muslim minority, banned the carrying of Islamic headscarfs in authorities faculties in 2004.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
