Gov't working on syariah-compliant dress code for private sector

The government will prepare a set of syariah-compliant dress code guideline for the private sector, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa said among the industries involved are the hotel industry and airline industry.

“The issue now is about the private sector. The issue doesn’t arise in the public sector because there is already a guideline and they have to follow the guideline.

“This includes issues related to MAS stewardesses, for example,” the de facto religious affairs minister told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

The Parit Buntar MP said discussions had been held with cooperation from the Labour Department under the Human Resources Ministry, and is aimed to prevent workplace discrimination. These discussions are in its final stage.

“I hope we can have more ‘compliant’ suggestions in the report because it is not only Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jakim) taking the initiative, but also the Labour Department. This includes issues of workplace discrimination.

“For example, there may be private workplaces where women cover their aurat in line with their religious teachings, but were sacked or discriminated against because of how they dressed.

“So, we now have a committee that would look into those who were discriminated at their workplace because of how they dress,” he said.

However, Mujahid stressed that the guideline don’t have the force of law on private companies.

“I can’t say it is (legally) binding because the guideline is subject to conditions imposed by the private sector, but at least we have a guideline,” he said.

Last year, it was reported that several hotels had banned their frontline employees from wearing headscarves.

Following the controversy, the then Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz justified this saying that MAS was also allowed to impose such restrictions on their staff. - Mkini