Hanover in the discrimination dispute: hairdresser discount for headscarf wearers!

Hanover in the discrimination dispute: hairdresser discount for headscarf wearers!

In Hanover, a hairdresser is causing a stir with its special discount campaign for women wearing headscarves. The salon offers a whopping 40 percent discount on all services on Wednesdays, but only for women who wear a headscarf. This advertising campaign has now persuaded an 82-year-old woman without a headscarf to contact the anti-discrimination agency because she felt discriminated against. Her complaint has sparked a legal debate about discrimination based on religion, which is considered under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). According to Welt, the anti-discrimination agency also receives support from legal scholars who assess the action as possible unequal treatment.

The owner of the salon, Celal Kilic, is a Muslim Kurd who wants to use this campaign to draw attention to a new floor of his salon. This floor is exclusively for women so that Muslim women can feel at ease in a safe space. Kilic explains that there is a lack of opportunities for women with headscarves in the region and hopes to use this initiative to bring people together and create an open atmosphere without anyone feeling disadvantaged.

Legal assessment and social context

The legal framework for such discounts is complex. Professor Gregor Thüsing from the University of Bonn describes the discount as “indirect unequal treatment” within the meaning of the AGG. He emphasizes that while the attribute “headscarf” is not explicitly mentioned in the law, it is nevertheless closely linked to certain religious beliefs. Constitutional lawyer Volker Boehme-Neßler sees the discount as clear discrimination without any objective justification. He emphasizes that a protected environment should also be possible for women without a headscarf, which further fuels the discussion about equal treatment LTO.

In addition, it is discussed to what extent discounts for certain groups, such as seniors or children, are legally justified in order to promote their social participation. On the other hand, the discount only for women with headscarves could be considered discriminatory, even if it indicates protection needs. It is discussed whether and how the discount helps to compensate for discrimination in professional life, a topic that has already been dealt with in various academic works, such as in the analysis by Elisabeth Holzleithner, which deals with the conflicts surrounding the headscarf De Gruyter.

Overall, it remains to be seen how the legal disputes will develop and whether the hairdresser can maintain its discount campaign or whether changes will be necessary to ensure equal treatment of all customers.