Dutch employers groups VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland have welcomed the European Court of Justice’s ruling stating employers can determine whether or not headcarves may be worn in the workplace, the Financieele Dagblad said on Wednesday.

The European court ruled that headscarves may be banned if this is a part of a broader company ban on visible signs of political, philosophical or religious affiliation. The decision was triggered by charges of discrimination in Belgium and France.

The Dutch employers groups said the ruling gave more clarity about what company executives must do if there are problems with employees about dress.

But, they added, its members only rarely had problems about such matters. Both organisations said situations involving dress were mostly settled on the work floor in a discussion between employer and employee.

Religious symbols may not be worn by people working in the Dutch courts.