KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 ― The 13 hotels identified by the Human Resource Ministry for barring Muslims employees from wearing their headscarves have retracted their ruling.

According to Utusan Malaysia, Union Network International-Malaysia Labour Centre president Mohammed Shafie BP Mammal said Labour Department director-general Datuk Mohd Jeffrey Joakim confirmed the matter in meeting at Putrajaya.

The report added that a meeting between the Hotel Association of Malaysia, other hotel trade unions and non-governmental organisations on the issue will be held next week.

"The 13 hotels that have been found to have Standard Operating Procedures with hijab restrictions on Muslim women have agreed to withdraw the ruling,” Mohammed Shafie told Utusan Malaysia when contacted yesterday.

The ministry previously said it determined that the 13 hotels have the controversial policy.

The Malaysian Association of Hotels last year claimed the practice was consistent with global norms.

Following complaints by some hotel frontline workers, the ministry said it will amend the Employment Act to prohibit "any” form of discrimination.

The ministry is expected to table the amendment when Parliament reconvenes in March.