Muslim fathers urge teachers to dress modestly

Shorter skirts in the summer heat, shirts or even thin blouses – at a nursery school in Penzing (address known to the editors) – all this is not desired. The ‘Krone’ recently received the following call for help: ‘There is a facility in which the manager actually demands that her employees wear closed clothing, because Muslim men come to pick up their children.’ That means: clothing dictates from above, so that fathers of children raised in Islam are not bothered by the sight of the ladies. Hiding as a duty.

That’s what the authorities say
The “Krone” asked the responsible authority (MA 10), and a rather bizarre correspondence followed. The explanation of the head of corporate communications: “The city of Vienna has no requirements for clothing with a higher neck. Our employees decide for themselves which clothing is suitable for their daily work. However, we expect our employees to look clean and well-groomed and that their clothing is suitable for daily teaching in kindergarten.”

So far so good. But what rules has the head of the Penzinger kindergarten prescribed? The MA10 explains further: “We would like to thank you for the information about the location mentioned and will investigate the matter internally. If necessary, we will take further steps. The approach you describe does not correspond to our position in any case.” Further questions about how the city will proceed with the head of the kindergarten are not welcome, it concerns purely confidential information. Literally: “I cannot give you any information about conversations with or between employees.” That means: they are just as secretive about the Muslim-friendly dress code as the manager apparently expects of her employees.

“Incompatible with democracy”
The “Krone” asked the responsible city council what was going on in Penzing. Christoph Wiederkehr of NEOS: “The teachers in the Viennese kindergartens wear clothing that is practical and appropriate for their work. Furthermore, the individual locations cannot impose dress codes. I consider religious dress codes in public institutions to be unacceptable, because they are incompatible with the values ​​of a liberal democracy.”