“You have all the skills required for this job. You are a great candidate with a rich background.
Unfortunately, we do not hire people wearing the hijab. Do you think you can remove it? “.
This is an example of a recruiter talking to a candidate. This scenario happens so often in many companies within Morocco. Yes within MOROCCO.
Dear candidates,
This is very sad. I know how frustrated you are. You struggled through school, made your parents proud
and you just need to get that first foot on the door and start your career. Unfortunately, sometimes you
meet these kinds of recruiters in certain companies. It is against the law to ask you to remove the scarf.
You can check Article 9 in the Moroccan Labour Law.
I cannot decide for you. I am only trying to help as I have many years of work experience but what I can
tell you is this: do not let anyone compromise who you are or what you believe in. EVER!.
Everyone makes sacrifices at work but once it overlaps with the core of who you are as a person, I am not sure if it is worth it to make that sacrifice even if it means not getting the job. But it is still up to you. Maybe you need the money and you have to make that sacrifice. I don’t know you personally. I personally wouldn’t
want to work with someone who doesn’t even respect who I am.
Dear recruiters,
You know that it is against the law so why are you doing it?
Did you forget that you live in Morocco where like 99% of the population is Muslim?
If you are not into religious head coverings and such, why do you hire men with beards?
Oh I know. The beard is now a fashion thing all over the world not only a symbol of which religion the men belong to. Nonsense.
Can’t you see that even western countries hire women who wear hijab and they are proud of it?
Have a look at LinkedIn. Did you see the profiles of those successful women in Morocco?
Those who occupy positions of great responsibility and yes they wear the head scarf.
Instead of focusing on things like that when you are recruiting, focus on the skills and experience needed for the job. Focus on the candidate’s personality. The best candidate for that position that is now vacant at your company for many months can be the one facing you know. You just don’t see it because you only see the scarf she is wearing.
I really hope that all the recruiters in Morocco will think about this when trying to recruit next time. As
for the candidates, be strong and be confident in who you are and what you can do.
Stay tuned for my next article …
