Zeuhl - I would agree that in terms of direct interaction dutring employment - such as in school - a burka is simply not practical, and can be deined on that basis - as I believe has happened to a teaching assistant who was interviewed sans burka, but appeared wearing it in the classroom.
However, there is surely a world of difference between saying - burkas (and indeed hot pants!) are not suitable for a classroom for simple reasons of appropriate dress, and communication, and enforcing a law to ban them?
We have to ensure that simple cutural differences are not enforced by legal means.
My wife is currently in Abu Dhabi for a month working in schools as a schools inspector. When women are together, no veils are worn, if a man wishes to enter the classroom a bell is rung, and the ladies put on their veils - simple system, everyone is happy. That is cultural acceptance at work.
The only requirement was that ladies are clothed to their ankles and wrists - some from the visit last year did not comply. Thery were not prosecuted, nor was any mention made - they were simply not invited back this year.
Similarly, food and drink are offered to all visitors, and it is a grave offence to refuse - not illegal, just offensive.
Surely we can adapt a similar system on an individal basis? If you feel uncomfortable interacting with a lady weearing a buka, you could ask her to remove it, or to deal with another individual not wearing a burka. Is that not preferable to dealing with a woman who is deeply uncomfortable because she is forced by law to abandon her cultural modesty?
These issues have to be dealt with by a degree of tolerance, and mutual understanding, not a sledgehammer application of a legal system that obviously has far better things to do.