Japan airline unveils new miniskirt uniform -- but attendants
criticise it as inappropriate
This article is contributed by the Stomp Team.
Skymark Airlines Inc. introduced a new uniform for cabin attendants
on its new flight, which has drawn flak among workers and
netizens for its short length.
According to a report on Japan Times, the budget carrier announced
last December that it would fly 10 Airbus A330-300s for the
first time starting this spring.
To promote the new flights, the company also unveiled a new
miniskirt uniform for attendants who will be working on the
plane.
However, the Japan Federation of Cabin Attendants, which is part of
the Japan Federation of Aviation Worker’s Union, have criticised
the uniform.
Not only did they call the uniform inappropriate for employees --
who have to stretch high up and kneel down in their line of work --
they also said it would disturb operations and induce sexual
harassment.
“Moreover, (Skymark) is treating women as products, as it is
advertising that this uniform will attract customers. We have to
doubt the morality of the company,” the federation said in a
statement released on its blog.
However, a spokesperson from Skymark have rebutted these claims and
said that firm has not directly received complaints from
the federation. Safety of the plane will also not be affected, he
added.
Employees serving on the A330 will don the uniform during the
six-month campaign period starting on May 31, after which they will
revert back to the old uniform.