(26/06/2017)
Written question on CJEU ruling on the headscarf
Question for written answer
to the Commission
According to the European Network Against Racism’s Forgotten Women project, Muslim women face some of the highest levels of discrimination and difficulties in accessing the labour market. In March 2017, the European Court of Justice in the cases of C-157/16 Achbita and C-188/15 Bougnaoui issued rulings against two women employees who were dismissed because they wore the headscarf. Given the already difficult conditions for Muslim women to access the labour market and the corresponding CJEU ruling:
How will the EU continue to meet commitments to fight discrimination and reduce unemployment following this CJEU ruling, especially for Muslim women?
What specific measures will the EU take to ensure the inclusion of Muslim women in the workplace in line with the Employment Equality Directive and prevent the fact that this ruling will mainly only impact Muslim women?
How does the EU intend to ensure that employees can access their right to freedom of religion or belief whilst also upholding the decision of the CJEU?