Caution and concern over EU ‘headscarf ban’

The State’s equality watchdog has said a landmark EU court ruling regarding Islamic headscarves did not mean blanket bans by employers on wearing religious signs were lawful.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) said it was still examining the rulings by the European Court of Justice, which it said have binding effect on member states.

The rulings mean employers can forbid staff from wearing headscarves, or any other visible religious garment, where it is part of a general prohibition policy.