New York firm accused of denying Muslim employees right to pray

The company could be fined as much as $250, 000

A firm responsible for providing wheelchair assistance at New York's John F Kennedy International Airport has been accused of discrimination after it allegedly failed to accommodate Muslim employees' requests.

A recent complaint filed before the city’s Commission on Human Rights claimed the company had turned down their requests for breaks to pray, The New York Post reported. It has also been claimed that they were harassed in connection with an accommodation request during Ramazan over the summer.


The firm, which employees 250 people, could be fined as much as  $250,000 if the claims stand corroborated. However, an individual claiming to be associated with the firm told the publication that the allegations had “no merit.”

“We will not tolerate religious discrimination of any kind in New York City,” said Hollis Pfitsch, deputy commissioner of the law enforcement bureau, according to USA Today. “Employees of every faith have a legal right to request religious accommodations and should not be harassed or discriminated against by their employer for requesting break time to observe their faith.”

After receiving the complaint last week, Pax Assist has 30 days to respond. The company didn’t reply to USA Today’s request for comment.

This article originally appeared on The New York Post.