Pandora’s box has been opened: neutrality is now under threat in Brussels

The Brussels government decided today not to appeal against the STIB-MIVB’s conviction for discrimination after a woman was refused employment because she was wearing a headscarf. “It is incomprehensible how lightly the Brussels government treats the neutrality of our government. One would expect the Brussels governing parties Open VLD and Défi to want to uphold the basic principles of our liberal constitutional state. Were their statements just for show?,” responds Cieltje Van Achter, N-VA party leader at the Brussels Regional Parliament.

The STIB-MIVB has long been the prime example in Brussels of how to combine employee diversity with a neutral service perfectly. The Labour Court’s conviction came out of the blue and was even criticised by Marc Uyttendaele, constitutional expert and the husband of Laurette Onkelinx, as an activist pamphlet rather than a judicial decision. “It was only logical that the STIB-MIVB would appeal against this. But that was beyond the will and the electoral interests of Ecolo-Groen and the PS. How many lawsuits will be filed now that the Brussels government is sending the signal that it does not want to fight for the principle of a neutral government?” Cieltje Van Achter says with regret.

Neutrality is a basic principle of the liberal constitutional state

Cieltje Van Achter is also critical of Open VLD and Défi: “The neutrality of our public institutions is one of the basic principles of our liberal constitutional state. The fact that the liberal governing parties Open VLD and Défi of all people are now agreeing to erode this neutrality truly defies all imagination.”

Appearance of impartiality

It is clear for Cieltje Van Achter: neutrality must not only be done, it must also be seen to be done. “Government neutrality is indispensable for the inclusive society we envision. This neutrality should not only be reflected in the neutral behaviour of government employees, but also in their neutral clothing style. That way, you ensure that any semblance of impartiality disappears when in contact with citizens. The N-VA makes a distinction between the front office and the back office. Of course, you have to maintain that distinction consistently. And that is exactly what the Brussels government is deviating from by allowing the STIB-MIVB management to include exceptions in the labour regulations at will. Moreover, the Brussels government wishes to start the debate in the Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region. You can’t help but feel which way this is going to go...”