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Migros rejects ban on Muslim
headscarf
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swissinfo November 18, 2004 7:38 PM
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In
principle, Migros does not have a problem with Islamic
headscarves (swissinfo) |
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Switzerland’s largest
retailer, Migros, says it will not impose a ban on the
wearing of Islamic headscarves by its female
employees.
In a statement on
Thursday, it said it would decide each case on an
individual basis and “take into account the interests
of Migros customers, management and employees”.
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Migros added that it was
concerned with the issues of hygiene and safety, as well
as with protecting its staff from verbal or physical
abuse.
Spokeswoman Monika Weibel told swissinfo that a Zurich
branch last week gave permission to one female Muslim
employee to wear her headscarf to work, which may have set
a precedent leading to Thursday’s decision.
The employee in question made the request last August,
sparking an internal debate about the issue.
“Shock”
Head of personnel at Migros
Zurich, Urs Stolz, told the “Tages-Anzeiger” newspaper
that some customers had reacted with “shock” when they saw
the woman wearing the headscarf.
But Stolz said Muslims should have the same rights as
other religious groups, and “Jews and Sri Lankans wear
yarmulkes and turbans at Migros without any problem.”
Commenting on the issue at a Catholic meeting in August,
cabinet minister Moritz Leuenberger said a blanket
prohibition on the Islamic headscarf would not help to
build peace among religions.
For its part, the Islamic Cultural Foundation in Geneva,
which also administers the mosque there, said it accepted
a ban on headscarves in the public administration, “but it
is unacceptable that this would be extended to the private
sector”.
Sexual equality
In 1997, the Federal Court
turned down an appeal by a Geneva teacher who wanted to
wear her headscarf to work. The court said allowing her to
do so contravened the principle of sexual equality.
Weibel told the newspaper, “Le Temps”, that the court’s
ruling had little relevance in Migros’ case since it
concerned a school “which has a mission to educate and
explain practices to its pupils.
“In a company it is different,” she said. “We have to
respect the autonomy of our employees.”
Source:
swissinfo
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Migros has set a company-wide policy on the wearing of
Islamic headscarves, following a request by a Muslim female
employee in Zurich.
A Migros personnel officer says Muslims should have the same
rights as Jews and Sikhs, who wear yarmulkes and turbans.
In 1997 the Federal Court refused to allow a Geneva teacher
to wear a headscarf to work, but Migros says the case has no
relevance to a private enterprise.
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Hijab Ban News -
Quick briefing - Switzerland
Migros
rejects ban on Muslim headscarf