An amended version of a motion authorising the wearing of faith symbols in public administration in Anderlecht was approved at a municipal council meeting on Thursday.
An original motion by Ecolo-Groen seeking to allow faith symbols – such as headscarves – to be worn within the local administration was not approved at the meeting. However, following intense debate, an amended version, proposed by the Parti Socialiste (PS)-Vooruit-Les Engagés group, was passed.
This revised version seeks to “facilitate the permission of religious symbols for staff interacting with the public, as long as it does not imply a concept of authority,” group leader Lofti Mostefa (PS) explained.
The altered wording also reflects the council’s intention to request “assistance from competent services of Brussels Region so they can manage the granting of such permission across all municipalities,” Mayor Fabrice Cumps (PS) said.
Further, the modified text proposes training for local public service agents to “ease the transition that will take place within the administration,” Mr Mostefa pointed out.
After more than an hour and a half of thorny debate, the socialists, along with the Parti du Travail Belge (PTB), voted in favour of the amended motion. Défi and Ecolo-Groen abstained, while the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA) voted against.
The implementation timeframe and exact scope of the adopted text still need to be worked out.
