Eight Central Florida Muslim workers are filing complaints with the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against Star Taxi, which is a transportation company based in Orlando.

During a Tuesday morning news conference in Kissimmee, Mohamed Benhassine said he was fired on Jan. 8 because he prayed on a break.

“When we pray at the mall, we choose to pray by the dumpster. So that way we don’t block no traffic. We’re not blocking the sidewalk and we’re not interfering with any business,” said Kissimmee Resident Mohamed Benhassine.

Benhassine said the incident took place on January 8th behind the Premium Orlando Outlets on Vineland Road in Orlando.

“I think in America, everybody has the right to practice his religion freely,” explained Behassine, who said someone took a picture of him praying and that he was fired later that evening.

Meanwhile, Star Taxi, is owned by Transtar Transportation Group. President and CEO Robert Gaye said his company has never recieved an allegation of discrimination in the more than 25 years it has been in business.

However, several other drivers have joined him in filling employment discrimination complaints.

via Muslim taxi drivers file complaint over prayer at work.

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