dress codes
The second point of contention in this case concerns whether the dress
codes for female cabin crew affect their ability to respond in emergencies
(e.g., fires and emergency evacuations), increase their safety and health
risks, and violate their right to safe and healthy working conditions
guaranteed by CEDAW and other international human rights conventions.
Specifically, if cabin crew are expected to be able to effectively help
passengers escape danger, are their uniforms adequate to protect them and
to ensure their ability to aid passengers? The complainants argued that the
styling of female cabin crew’s uniforms affect their ability to respond in an
emergency and pose concerns regarding physical exposure, tripping, and
health and safety problems, as follows:
Effects on emergency response capabilities: During aviation safety
training, trousers are worn. However, while male cabin crew wear
trousers when on duty, most Taiwanese airlines mandate that their
female cabin crew wear skirts. The complainants argued that wearing
skirts poses significant risks during emergencies, such as increased
friction on slides as skirts can potentially get caught or lifted.
Risk of exposure: Many tasks, such as bending down, raising arms
overhead, climbing, and sitting can lead to physical exposure or
tripping hazards. Additionally, during take-off and landing, some
female cabin crew, who have to sit facing passengers, feel
uncomfortable or self-conscious; there have also been instances of
passengers taking upskirt photos. The airlines instruct their cabin crew
to sit with their legs turned sidewards as a precautionary measure, but
do not allow them to use additional garments to cover their skirts.
Additionally, short sleeves or wide sleeve openings often leave female
cabin crew’s underarm area exposed when assisting economy class
passengers with overhead bins.
Health and safety risks: The interviewed cabin crew reported that if
they trip, the hems of their skirts prevent them from extending their
legs properly, resulting in a second, more serious fall and that high
heels cause bunions and plantar fasciitis, posing health risks. Many
cabin crew members stated the belief that in the event of a fire, their
stockings would melt onto their skin. These issues have been raised
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