From Agence France-Presse
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| A Sikh man wearing a turban listens to an announcement (AFP) |
NEW YORK — New York’s mass transit system will allow Sikh and Muslim employees to wear religious headgear after settlement Wednesday of a federal lawsuit alleging discrimination against workers from those faiths.
The Sikh Coalition announced victory in the legal battle against the Metropolitan Transport Authority, saying “Sikh and Muslim workers may now wear their religious headdress freely — as they were allowed to do so before 9/11 — without fear of segregation or discipline.”
The MTA allegedly discriminated against Sikhs and Muslims in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, forcing those who wore their religious headgear to remain out of public view or to wear an MTA corporate logo.
Under the settlement, which finds no fault or liability, the only requirement now will be for headgear to be in the MTA’s standard blue color.
