Primark faces backlash as employee allegedly banned from wearing Irish Christmas jumper

AN INCIDENT involving a Primark staff member in Belfast has ignited a firestorm on social media, as users express outrage over an alleged ban on a Christmas jumper featuring the words 'Nollaig Shona', or 'Happy Christmas' in Irish.

The controversy began when reports surfaced that a Primark employee in Belfast was informed she could not wear a festive sweater adorned with the Irish language message.

According to an article published by The Irish News, "the young female part-time employee was called to a manager’s office last Friday to be told she could not wear the jumper with 'Nollaig Shona' on the front."

It was reported that the woman works at Primark’s Royal Avenue store in Belfast and is said to have worn the jumper as the company encouraged employees to don holiday-friendly clothing. According to the woman, she was informed having something written in Spanish would be alright but that some people might be offended by Irish.

She reportedly asked if anyone had complained and was told that no one had.

The news quickly spread across social media, with users expressing their frustration and disappointment over what they perceived as cultural insensitivity. Many argued that celebrating Christmas in the native language of the region should be embraced rather than discouraged.

"Tá seo dochreidte (This is unbelievable). This is really poor from Primark. Your southern shops proudly display bilingual signs & you treat your employees here like this?", wrote a spokesperson for An Dream Dearg on X.

️️ @Primark Wow!

"Gaeilgeoir told she could not wear jumper with the words "Nollaig Shona"

Tá seo dochreidte. This is really poor from @Primarkjobs

Your southern shops proudly display bilingual signs -& you treat your employees here like this?

https://t.co/Ew8RBNnebD pic.twitter.com/Yaw5WDMov5

— An Dream Dearg ️‍♀️‍♂️ (@dreamdearg) December 20, 2023

An Dream Dearg are a community who campaign for rights, recognition and respect for the Irish language, and its users.

Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, a representative of An Dream Dearg, wrote: "Decisions like this are at odds with the direction of travel for Gaeilge in Belfast. Primark need to catch up".

Tá cinntithe mar seo ag teacht salach ar an treo a bhfuil an sochaí i mBéal Feirste ag dul i dtaobh na Gaeilge. Léiríonn torthaí an daonáirimh agus eile seo arís & arís

Decisions like this are at odds with the direction of travel for Gaeilge in Belfast. @Primark need to catch up https://t.co/avYyL4EfpO

— Ciarán MacGiollaBh (@crogallmorglas) December 20, 2023

Conradh na Gaeilge took to social media to say: "Caithfidh sibh gach iarracht a dhéanamh aitheantas & meas a léiriú ar an #Gaeilge, ar phobal na Gaeilge go háitiúil, ar fhostaithe le #Gaeilge & ar bhur gcuid custaiméirí le #Gaeilge. (You must make every effort to recognise & respect the Irish, the local Irish-speaking community, employees with Irish & your customers with Irish.)

Hi @Primark, níl sé seo ceart go leor. Caithfidh sibh gach iarracht a dhéanamh aitheantas & meas a léiriú ar an #Gaeilge, ar phobal na Gaeilge go háitiúil, ar fhostaithe le #Gaeilge & ar bhur gcuid custaiméirí le #Gaeilge.

Do better. Much better.
Nollaig Shona #nílsécgl https://t.co/amoSJHjbYM

— Conradh na Gaeilge ⭕️ (@CnaG) December 20, 2023

Since the controversy, Primark released a statement to The Irish News, saying: "We support an inclusive workplace where everyone should feel welcome at work.

"No company policy exists which prohibits the use of the Irish language on colleague clothing."

The spokesperson is said to have added: "We are really sorry that this incident took place, this was an isolated event that should not have happened, and we are taking steps to provide further guidance to our colleagues on our workwear policy."