EMPLOYERS must not practise discrimination in the workplace which violates human rights, the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) said amid growing outcry over a hotel policy that prohibits frontline staff from wearing the hijab, or Muslim headscarf.

Suhakam chairman Razali Ismail said employment contracts should be grounded in principles of equality and non-discrimination in accordance with Article 8 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

“While employment contracts can stipulate specific employment conditions, these shall not imply whether directly or indirectly discriminatory practices which may amount to a waiver of the right to freedom of religion and expression,” he said in a statement today.

The right to express one’s religion could only be curtailed if such expression is a threat to public safety, order and health or the morals or fundamental rights and freedom of others, Razali added.

Suhakam’s statement comes as groups and politicians respond to news that some international hotel chains were barring frontline staff from wearing the hijab.

The Malaysian Association of Hotels had said the policy was not meant to be discriminatory and standard operating procedure globally.

Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz earlier this week hit out at hoteliers, saying they should respect local cultural practices if they wished to operate in Malaysia. – November 17, 2017.