A MUSLIM IT worker in Sydney has won the right to pray at
work.
In a deal brokered between his boss and unions yesterday, computer assembler
Kamal El-Masri has been given the go-ahead to take part in afternoon prayers.
Mr El-Masri, 19, had taken a case to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), claiming his boss TPG, wouldn't allow him to take adequate breaks to pray.
The devout Muslim must pray five times a day as part of his religion.
But two of Mr El-Masri's daily prayers fall within work time, one at lunch and one in the afternoon.
Mr El-Masri claimed his boss issued formal warnings and threatened him with the sack for taking the prayer breaks, even though he shortened his lunch break to pray.
After in-depth talks with management, the parties reached an agreement, which would allow Mr El-Masri to honour his religious beliefs.
The agreement came after nine leaders from Catholic, Anglican and Uniting Churches, as well as Jewish and Islamic faiths, signed a Statement of Support, respecting the rights of workers to observe their religious faith.
The statement also said Muslim workers, in particular, should be given the right to take a few minutes to pray.
Under the deal brokered, TPG agreed to withdraw all formal warnings against Mr El-Masri and allow him to take a five-minute afternoon prayer break.
Mr El-Masri said he only ever wanted the right to observe his religion.
"I wish this message went out to all employers to show them that a person doing their religious acts at work should be (allowed)," he said.
"For every other worker who wants to respect their religion I say 'go out there stand up, you've got the right and may God be with them'."
He said he would continue working at TPG.
Australian Services Union (ASU) assistant branch secretary Sally McManus said the agreement was a "victory for commonsense and fair play".
The ASU said since media coverage of the matter the union itself had been targeted by anti-Muslim supporters, receiving numerous hate calls at its office.