A Japanese airline is under fire over its decision to put female flight attendants in a new uniform of daringly short minidresses.
Skymark Airlines, Japan’s third largest carrier, has been accused of inviting sexual harassment and treating women like a commodity after unveiling the high-hemmed outfit for its female staff.
The new uniform consists of a short, fitted Sixties’ style minidress in royal blue, accessorised with large yellow neck bows, small hats, sheer tights and heels.
Criticisms were led by the Japan Federation of Cabin Attendants, which issued a statement opposing the length of the new dresses and questioning the budget airline’s motivation behind such a move.
Highlighting its concern that the uniform could invite sexual harassment, it read: “We’re concerned that the design of this uniform may cause problems.
“The airline is saying the uniform is meant to attract more customers, but this shows the company is treating women like a commodity.”
Fears of passengers leering at cabin attendant’s legs or even taking pictures up their skirts with a mobile phone were among a string of concerns posted in comments onto the union’s website.
On a practical level, there were queries as to how the staff would be able to fulfill their duties, such as bending over, serving food and reaching above their heads while wearing such short skirts.
The airline has disputed the union’s claims that the uniform is inappropriate and plans to introduce it as a temporary promotion during the launch of domestic routes by its Airbus A330 planes from this spring.
Emphasising that the dresses would be used by staff for only six months, Tatsuya Kishi, a Skymark spokesman, told the Telegraph: “The uniforms will not interfere with security or public peace.”
Shinichi Nishikubo, president of Skymark, also told reporters: “We won’t impose the uniform on any of the cabin attendants who refuse to wear it.
“It is disappointing that the outfit designed in part for the ad campaign is being seen in a distorted way.”
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