The European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday that employers may prohibit the wearing of visible symbols of religious or political beliefs, such as the hijab. However, the court, based in Luxembourg, stated that courts in the 27 EU member states must consider whether the ban aligns with a "genuine need" from the employer's side. They also need to take into account the rights and interests of the employees, including national legislation related to freedom of religion.
The case was brought before the European Court of Justice by two women in Germany who chose to wear the Islamic hijab at their workplaces. One works as a caregiver for people with disabilities, while the other is a sales assistant and cashier. Both filed legal complaints with German courts, which referred questions to the EU Court. Both women were suspended from work after wearing the hijab.
Court documents revealed that the employers at both locations informed the employees that wearing the hijab was prohibited, and they were suspended and told to come to work without the hijab or face reassignment to other positions. The hijab issue has sparked debate across Europe for years, highlighting sharp divisions regarding the integration of Muslims into European societies. In 2017, the European Court in Luxembourg ruled that companies have the right to ban the hijab or any other visible religious symbol in the workplace under certain circumstances. This ruling faced widespread criticism from religious groups at the time.
