PUTRAJAYA: The authority is keeping a close watch on the issue of hijab ban currently imposed on hotel employees.
In monitoring the development of the issue, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said she was shocked over the matter and wondered why hijab had become a concern.
“For us, it is uncalled for. This (wearing of hijab) is a right for women. I am baffled why women manning front counters (in some hotels) are not allowed to wear hijab.
“This is not an issue back then, and Malaysia is a place where many of its women are wearing hijab. Why is it now the matter (hijab) becomes an issue?
“Nonetheless, we should let Datuk Seri Nazri (Aziz) address this since he is the Tourism and Culture Minister,” she said after the launch of a forum on legal representation for children today.
Rohani said the matter could also be brought to Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Since Nazri was formerly a de facto law minister, Rohani believed he would utilise his experience in resolving the contention.
Rohani was commenting on reports concerning the policy held by hotel chains banning women employees from wearing headscarves if they are working as frontliners or those who interact directly with guests.
The Malaysian Labour Centre of the Union Network International has recently revealed that hotel employees had complained about the policy and that it was also imposed on hospitality and tourism students applying for internships.