The Court of Justice of the European Union issued a ruling stating that, as long as it is done in a "general" approach that does not entail "direct discrimination", wearing hijab (Islamic head covering for women) may be banned in workplaces within member states.
The judgement, addressed a dispute that had been underway since 2018 between a Muslim woman in Belgium and SCRL, a firm that oversees social housing.
During an interview for a six-week apprenticeship, the woman was informed she will not be allowed to wear a hijab because SCRL had a neutrality rule that prohibited any head coverings.
She filed a lawsuit against the corporation in a Belgian court, which then requested advice from the top European court.
The court said:
The internal rule of an undertaking prohibiting the visible wearing of religious, philosophical or spiritual signs does not constitute direct discrimination if it is applied to all workers in a general and undifferentiated way.
