Rabbi criticises EU court ban on wearing religious clothing or symbols at work

A leading European rabbi has criticised a European Court of Justice ruling that allows employers to ban employees from wearing religious clothing or symbols whilst at work.

Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that last month’s ruling by the Luxembourg-based European court was “a step backwards” for religious freedoms.

The EU decision expands on a 2017 ruling by the same tribunal. That decision was made after two Muslim women in Germany sued their employers for banning them from wearing headscarves to work. A German court referred the case to the EU court.

Rabbi Goldschmidt said that the ruling had broader implications that extended to “Jewish men wearing a kippah.” He added that he was not aware of current work disputes of this kind involving Jews.

In its ruling, the court cited the need to preserve an atmosphere of “neutrality” in the workplace, adding that any workplace ban must correspond to a genuine “need” by employers.

Muslim groups have also protested against the ruling. IGMG, an group in Germany for people of Turkish descent, described the ruling as “unconstitutional.”

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