A BRITISH Airways worker has lost an internal appeal against the company's refusal to allow her to wear a Christian cross over her uniform, BA said.

Check-in staffer Nadia Eweida was told in October she must not display a small crucifix over her clothes, but must hide it under her blouse or cravat.

The 55-year-old had appealed against the decision, arguing she should be entitled to openly proclaim her Christian faith.

British Airways has said it recognises that uniformed staff may wish to wear jewellery including religious symbols. But the uniform policy, which has been in place for a number of years, states these items should be worn underneath clothes.

“Other religious items such as turbans, hijabs and bangles can be worn as it is not practical for staff to conceal them beneath their uniforms,” the company said.

BA was criticised when news emerged last month that Ms Eweida had been sent home for breaching company policy.

Cabinet Minister Peter Hain, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, called the airline's decision “loopy”.

The wearing of clothing or jewellery that identifies people with a particular faith has become a hot political issue since former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said last month that Muslim women who wore full veils made community relations difficult.

An employment tribunal subsequently ruled that a Muslim teaching assistant had not been discriminated against when the school where she worked asked her to remove her veil.

The case of 24-year-old Aishah Azmi against Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire attracted nationwide interest after Mr Straw's comments.


Tratto da http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...55-401,00.html

Se si fosse trattato del velo islamico nessuno avrebbe avuto nulla da ridire.