SEOUL – Asking a job applicant whether she will wear a hijab at work is considered discriminatory, South Korea’s human rights watchdog said.
According to the Yonhap news agency, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) said yesterday it has recommended the chief of an unidentified non-governmental organisation come up with measures to curb such discrimination.
The recommendation came after a woman, whose identity was not disclosed, filed a petition against the NGO, claiming she applied for an interpreter and translator position in 2019 but did not get the job as she wears the religious veil.
According to the NHRCK, the applicant claimed she was told by an interviewer of the NGO that the organisation cannot work with people wearing hijabs because it could cause a “hindrance” to working with people from other countries.
The watchdog also noted that questions unrelated to job requirements are considered discrimination in other countries, including Germany, Britain and Japan. – Bernama, October 5, 2021
