Muslims claim discrimination in Minnesota company's dress code

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A group of Muslim workers claim they were fired by a New Brighton tortilla factory for refusing to wear uniforms rather than their traditional loose-fitting clothing.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations says six Somali women claim they were ordered by a manager to wear pants and shirts they considered immodest by Islamic standards. The women have filed a religious discrimination complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Mission Foods parent company Gruma Corporation denies that any employees were terminated or disciplined at the New Brighton plant.

But the company says the six women have been relieved of their duties for the time being and may ultimately lose their jobs if they don't wear the uniforms.

Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 05-28-08 0201CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list