Teen refused Jumbo Buitenhof job in Delft over a headscarf

A 15-year-old girl was not hired at Jumbo Buitenhof in Delft because she wears a headscarf. The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights told NOS that a refusal to hire an employee based on the fact that they wear a headscarf is not allowed.

According to the girl’s mother, her job interview went well, and the girl was told she can start work in October. Then, she was told to take off her headscarf; the mother told Omroep West. “That’s actually a really ugly thing,” she said.

The daughter was looking forward to her first job and was very hurt by the rejection, the mother added. “I actually felt so sorry for her. She just felt rejected. I thought then, "This is not how the world is supposed to be.”

In a statement to NOS, Jumbo’s headquarters said, “If an employer rejects an applicant because of a headscarf, that is direct discrimination." That is prohibited.”

Exceptions do exist. “An employer then has to be able to explain why the policy is necessary to prevent harm and that there is no other way. Negative feelings among colleagues or customers are not valid reasons.”

A Tweede Kamer member, Jamer Mikal Tseggai from PRO, posted a video about the situation on Instagram, urging those who experience discrimination to report to discriminatie.nl.

The girl’s relative called Melissa had also posted a TikTok video about this, which has been viewed at least 400,000 times, sparking internet-wide discussions.