13 hotels in Peninsular Malaysia have hijab ban

KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry found that 13 out of 88 hotels in Peninsular Malaysia have denied women from wearing the hijab (headscarf), according to its "standard grooming" policy.
The finding is based on inspections conducted between December 2017 and Jan 26, with the ban involving certain areas, including in food and beverage (F&B) and among frontliners.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Richard Riot said the Manpower Department has advised said hotels to rectify the matter and lift the ban.
He added that the proposed amendment to the Employment Act 1955 ,due to the headscarf ban in the hotel sector, is expected to be tabled at the upcoming Parliament sitting.
"The ministry is currently continuing discussion with the stakeholders to refine the amendments.
"The ministry also held discussion with the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) on Jan 17. As a result, MAH said it is commitment to urge members to do away with the ruling against headscarf.
"MAH is also working with its members to include headscarf as part of the uniform," he said.
The ministry was also scheduled to meet with the Malaysian International Trade Union Connection Council (UNI-MLC) today to clarify and resolve the headscarf ban issue.
UNI-MLC issued a statement on Nov 6 following numerous complaints lodged by female hotel employees about the ban of hijab at their workplaces.