Christian worker seeks ruling to challenge "anti-Islam" dismissal

The case of Christian Legal Centre client Nohad Halawi, who was dismissed from her job at Heathrow Airport after false rumours that she was "anti-Islam" will be heard in the Employment Appeal Tribunal today (4 October 2013).

Last year, an Employment Tribunal found that Ms Halawi was not technically employed, so she had no protection under employment law, despite the fact she had worked at Heathrow for 13 years.

The case was then taken to the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

Background

Mrs Halawi worked at a duty free shop at Heathrow Terminal 3. But management took away her ‘airside pass’ – meaning she was unable to continue working at the airport – after Muslim colleagues made unsubstantiated complaints about her conduct.

Mrs Halawi had stood up for a Christian colleague who was being harassed by Islamist staff.

She had verbally complained to management over personal abuse and harassment from Islamist staff members over her Christian faith.

22 of Mrs Halawi’s colleagues, including other Muslims, signed a petition which stated:

“We are shocked and saddened by the recent dismissal of our colleague and friend, Nohad, as a result of malicious and unfounded allegations made against her.”

Last year, Mrs Halawi asked the Christian Legal Centre (CLC) for support. Mrs Halawi then instructed leading human rights barrister, Paul Diamond, to represent her.

Employment Tribunal

At the hearing in April 2012, the Employment Tribunal heard evidence that Mrs Halawi’s working patterns and performance were very tightly controlled by World Duty Free (WDF) and Caroline South Associates (CSA), indicating that she was employed.

However, the Judge preferred the evidence of WDF and CSA, who argued that she was self-employed and therefore had no protection. The removal of her airside pass and loss of her employment was non judiciable.

Employment Appeal Tribunal

Mr Diamond argued at the Employment Appeal Tribunal that Mrs Halawi was an employee under European law, and as such should be protected from discrimination.

He also argued that the Employment Tribunal should have considered the relationship which existed between Mrs Halawi and WDF and CSA as the basis for allowing her to be deemed an ‘employee’, or a ‘worker’ under European law.

Mrs Halawi’s case for unfair dismissal and discrimination can only properly be considered if she is found to have employment rights. The result of this Employment Appeal Tribunal hearing brings her a step closer to a thorough consideration of this.

Hearing

At the hearing today (4th October) the Employment Appeal Tribunal will consider her situation while she was working at Terminal 3 and whether she should be viewed as an employee by the law or protected as a worker.

Then, depending on the result, she may be given another opportunity to explain how she was treated and the bullying she experienced at the hands of radical Islamist colleagues.  

Click here to watch a short video interview with Nohad > 

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Heathrow worker sacked after being accused of insulting muslims