Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
To put an end to the debate about banning the headscarf among employees in city offices, Antwerp Mayor Bart De Wever of the Northern Alliance (N-VA) party suggested wearing practical clothing or a uniform. "He emphasized in a debate on a number of topics, including head coverings," a topic that interests the Socialist Party Vooruit and the Green Party Groen.
Since 2007, Antwerp (Northern Belgium) has banned employees in city offices from wearing religious signs, including the headscarf. This is still difficult for some left-wing parties. Vooruit and Groen, who may be at the negotiating table after the regional and local elections scheduled for October 13, want to get rid of this ban. But they also realize that allowing philosophical signs is out of the question for the N-VA.
This was also clear during the party leader's debate recently. This debate does not only apply to city employees, but also to the process of merging the ZNA and GZA hospitals. In the GZA, the headscarf is allowed in the workplace, but not in the ZNA.
"I am for absolute neutrality in public services," said De Wever. "For the rest, I am for absolute freedom. Neutrality is the best key to equality and harmony. I am for practical clothing, especially in the field of healthcare. A head covering can then be provided. For the head, this way you can solve a lot practically. By proposing functional clothing or a uniform, De Wever seems to be working to reach a compromise with potential coalition partners, primarily Vooruit. This has not escaped the attention of Vooruit party leader Kathleen van Brimpt. "It is still too early to start negotiations, but this proposal is definitely something to start with. I am not against practical clothing. Certainly in the health sector, but also in the city counters. The fact that De Wever now wants to help find a compromise on this is a good sign.
Important signal
It all depends on the election results, but it cannot be ruled out that the green colour will also be necessary to achieve a majority. The headscarf ban is also an important item in the party's programme. The leader of the Greens in Antwerp, Bogdan Vanden Berghe, describes De Wever's proposal as an "important signal".
We have been calling for pragmatism and openness on this issue for some time. De Wever's proposal is a step in the right direction, but for us it must fit into a broader plan. There are many barriers for young people. The headscarf ban is one of them. To avoid discrimination, we also want to extend the practical tests to other areas, and we want them to eventually lead to legal consequences. It is also necessary to make additional investments in youth workers, who can guide people towards work and the right choice of school. The concrete development of this opportunity plan is Material for negotiations after the election; if the voters give us a strong mandate to do so.”

The far-right Vlaams Belang party rejects the proposal. “The phrase ‘practical clothing with a headscarf’ is a euphemism for allowing the wearing of the headscarf,” says party leader Philip Dewinter (Vlaams Belang). “With this, De Wever opens the door wide for further Islamization of Antwerp.”

Clear agreements on this were reached years ago. I am surprised that this issue has now come up again.

What do the employees themselves think of it? Ken Zegers of the socialist trade union ACOD is neither for nor against the introduction of a uniform for employees. “The receptionists at the city hall, the workers in the city cleaning service and the sports department also wear practical clothing,” says Zegers. “As a union, we are not asking for this to be introduced for counter-jobs, but if a decision is made, we will consider it.”

Kathleen De Winter of the Christian Union for Public Services ACV notes that the ban on philosophical signs has not been an issue among employees in recent years. Clear agreements on this have been reached for years. I'm surprised this is an issue again now. I'm afraid that introducing work clothes will also be a sensitive issue among employees. Not everyone will like it. If the suggestion is made, I will ask the employees about it.