Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Netherlands Cuts Muslim Man's Benefits for Refusing to Shave Beard


THE GUARDIAN: Dutch court backs suspension after man told he had to be clean shaven to train as asbestos removal officer

A Dutch court has backed the suspension of a Muslim man’s benefits over his refusal on religious grounds to shave his beard while on training for a job.

The unnamed man had been offered a job as an asbestos removal officer but was subsequently told he would need to be clean shaven in order to undergo the training course.

When he refused on the basis of his religious convictions, Amersfoort city council suspended payments to both him and his wife for a month under the Participatiewet, which provides a minimum income for every legal resident in the Netherlands. » | Daniel Boffey in Brussels | Wednesday, February 27, 2019