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Sweden: Woman wins discrimination case after being fired for wearing headscarf

1 year ago
MALMO, SWEDEN - JUNE 06: The pin flags are replaced with Swedish flags to mark Sweden's National Day on day three of the Nordea Masters at the PGA Sweden National on June 6, 2015 in Malmo, Sweden. (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images)

Swedish flag in Malmo, Sweden [Harry Engels/Getty Images]

Sweden’s Equality Ombudsman yesterday ruled in favour of a Muslim woman who complained that she faced discrimination for wearing a headscarf.

“An airline company that does not allow religious symbols and implements a uniform dress code policy dismissed a woman without employing her for wearing a headscarf, even though her job application was accepted, which is discrimination,” Lars Arrhenius said in a statement.

“Equality in the labour market and freedom of religion should not conflict with the interests of the employer. However, in such a balance, freedom of religion should prevail,” he added.

Consequently, it ordered the airline to pay the woman 150,000 Swedish Krona ($13,982) in compensation.

The woman filed a complaint with the Ombudsman last year on the grounds that she faced discrimination.

Read: Thousands of people cancel Easter celebrations in Sweden, march in support of Gaza

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