Frankfurt, Germany - A 39-year-old Muslim mother has resigned her job at Frankfurt's city administration after the state of Hesse imposed Germany's first ban on wearing a burqa at work, officials said Thursday.
The woman, who is of Moroccan origin, previously wore a headscarf while counselling city residents, but wanted to resume her job after maternity leave with her face completely veiled.
The city objected, saying taxpayers would not accept an official if they could not see her eyes.
Lawyers for the woman initially demanded a large severance payment, but the city said she had since handed in her resignation, effective last Monday, and was not expecting any compensation.
Germany generally tolerates Islamic headscarves covering the hair and ears, though some states prohibit teachers in public schools wearing them. About 5 per cent of Germany's population is nominally Muslim.
Hesse, the state where Frankfurt is located, issued a regulation on Wednesday prohibiting all public-service employees from wearing face veils at work.