'Revealing' Cathay Pacific uniforms blamed for rise in sexual harassment

By James Griffiths, May 4, 2014

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Cathay Pacific has been asked by the union representing cabin crew to redesign its uniforms for women, which staff say 'provoke sexual harassment'. 

According to flight attendants, the blouses are too short, showing off flesh when female crew bend down to get items out of a trolley. 

The Flight Attendants Union (FAU) also says the skirts of the uniforms, introduced in 2011, are too tight-fitting, but says management has so far rejected its pleas for a modesty makeover.

FAU honorary secretary Michelle Choi said: "The blouse is too short and does not cover enough. Whenever a flight attendant bends down, her waistline is exposed.

"We believe the company intentionally does this to make us look a bit sexier and to let the passenger see more."

Choi blamed the "too-revealing uniforms" for an apparent rise in incidents of sexual harassment against cabin crew, which she says takes place on one in every 10 flights. 

"Some of the Marco Polo Club [frequent flier] members think they can do things to us because they are privileged and we somehow allow it. That is very bad," Choi said. "They think it is part of their privilege … Afterwards, they believe they can apologise and everything is settled."

Choi added: "When you report it to the flight manager, they always say it is the crew member's decision whether or not to call the police. They tell you, 'It's your decision. Do you want to delay the flight by calling the police?' That puts stress on the flight attendant and it is sad the company is not actively supporting and protecting us in cases like this … [Inflight managers] should be trained to have a stronger mindset to protect the crew."

Cathay Pacific told SCMP that it had modified the design of the uniforms in response to staff feedback prior to their launch in 2011. 

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