Asiana Airlines asked to allow female crew to put on pants

Flight attendants from Asian Airlines walking across the hall. (Yonhap News)

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea on Monday recommended Asiana Airlines allow female flight attendants to choose between skirts and trousers.

In addition, a local public transport union submitted a petition against the airline in June 2012, saying that it was gender discrimination to ban female flight attendants from wearing pants. 

Regarding the petition, the NHRC concluded that banning female attendants from wearing pants is an act of discrimination since it restricts the choice of uniforms based on gender. Also, considering that no other Korean airlines compel female flight crew to wear skirts, Asiana Airline’s regulation could be viewed as excessive, NHRC said. 

Asiana Airlines refuted the union’s argument by claiming that wearing skirts accentuates Korean beauty and does not cause discomfort while female attendants are performing safety tasks on a plane. The company said its tough rules on the dress code have been alleviated since January 2013. 

Recommendations from the NHRC are not legally binding.

By Park Sui, Intern reporter
(suipark@heraldcorp.com)