Brussels School Job Ad Sparks Controversy Over Headscarf Ban

The announcement posted on the Actiris website by the Sainte-Geneviève Educational Community is very clear. No room available for candidates wearing the Islamic veil. It was relayed on social networks, leading to comments, some of which consider that it is the fact that the wearing of the veil is the only one prohibited that poses a problem, reports RTBF.

"This is a form of direct discrimination against the veil," comments Patrick Charlier, from Unia. "One thing is to have a neutrality policy where we prohibit all conventional signs whatever they are. There are shared jurisprudences there. But some justify it for schools: directly and solely targeting the wearing of the veil is discriminatory."

Prohibiting all signs: yes. One only: no. "The rule that is adopted in a work regulation must be motivated and justified. An employer who prohibits denominational signs could be questioned, whether by ourselves or by others in the event of legal action," insists Patrick Charlier.

Accused of relaying discriminatory job offers, Actiris defends itself. "We act as a relay for employers," says Romain Adam, spokesperson for the regional body. "Actiris also evolves within a legal framework. What comes back to us concerning this announcement is that in Brussels, we cannot go against this prohibition, if it is motivated, in this case, by an internal order regulation within the school establishment. We cannot therefore refuse the publication of this offer," he specifies, stressing that the announcement from Sainte-Geneviève has gone through the filter of Actiris services, reports RTBF.

However, under pressure from social networks, Actiris removed the offer from its website on Monday mid-morning, "the time to review the merits of this announcement and its wording from a legal point of view." On Monday afternoon, in a tweet, the Brussels Minister of Employment Bernard Clerfayt (DéFI) indicated regarding this case that the wording chosen by the Sainte-Geneviève school in its job offer "is discriminatory and must be corrected." He adds that "the school remains free to adopt a policy of neutrality, by indicating it in its Internal Regulations."