Headscarf ban extended to social services

The headscarf ban in Antwerp is now being extended to personnel in the social services (OCMW). Two employment counselors were given a choice to either remove their headscarves, or move to the complaints department, where citizens won’t see them. One woman refused to remove her headscarf and was transferred to the complaints department, while the…

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Headscarf ban not approved in Leuven

The Leuven municipal council voted down a proposal by Vlaams Belang to ban civil servants from wearing the headscarf. By a large majority, only three of 45 councilors supported the proposal. Hagen Goyvaerts of Vlaams Belang pointed out that ethics codes provide for workers to stay neutral during working hours, and may not conduct religious…

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Headscarf ban in Lier

The Municipal council of Lier, a city in the Antwerp province of Belgium, approved a ban on the wearing of religious symbols for counter personnel. The approval of the disputed proposal caused angry reactions by many immigrants who followed the meeting. After the Vlaams Belang party retracted the proposal for a total headscarf-ban for city…

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Headscarf ban for employees in Ghent

Ghent, Belgium’s third largest city, has banned employees from wearing Muslims headscarves and other religious or political symbols. The ban was proposed by the Flemish liberal party, and approved by the city council. All city personnel such as librarians, child care workers, and such will not be allowed to wear such garments if they come…

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