Japanese airline’s new micro-mini uniform draws flak from cabin crew

Tuesday, 18 March 2014 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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.