Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

BLOOMBERG/Akio Kon

Japanese airline facing union turbulence over staff mini-skirts

The outfits will be worn by attendants on Skymark Airlines planes when it introduces its Airbus A330 flights on domestic routes.

A JAPANESE BUDGET airline has flown into rough air over its decision to outfit flight attendants in revealing mini-skirts, drawing criticism that it could invite sexual harassment.

Skymark Airlines came under fire from the cabin crew’s labour union, which said the super-short skirt — with a distinctively swinging sixties look — barely covers wearers’ thighs.

“We’re concerned that the design of this uniform may cause problems,” including sexual harassment, the Japan Federation of Cabin Attendants said in a statement late last month.

“The airline is saying the uniform is meant to attract more customers, but this shows the company is treating women like a commodity,” it added.

Comments posted on the union’s website said attendants would not carry out their duties effectively owing to fears about leering stares or customers shooting pictures up their skirts with a mobile phone.

The airline, which disputes the union claims, plans to introduce the uniform as a temporary promotion for the launch of domestic routes its Airbus A330 planes in the spring.

The carrier could not be immediately reached for comment yesterday.

Last week, Skymark president Shinichi Nishikubo 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,” he added.

© – AFP 2014

Read: Aer Lingus welcomes back Boeing as Shannon to Boston route launches

Read: SIPTU ballot for strike action at Aer Lingus & DAA under way

Author
View 49 comments
Close
49 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Glen
    Favourite Glen
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:11 AM

    Sometimes you get bored looking at books and magazines.

    367
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bruce
    Favourite Bruce
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:19 AM

    Of course it wont be the standard unfurnished.

    But what a brilliant advertising coup. Out of the Ml O’leary school of free publicity.

    To introduce this new product / airline would have needed a substantial advertising budget. Instead the airline just bought free time.

    130
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bruce
    Favourite Bruce
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:20 AM

    “Standard uniform”

    29
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute scaldbag
    Favourite scaldbag
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:40 AM

    I hope Aer Lingus don,t go down this route,..I would not like to see my granny in a mini skirt.

    306
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KarlMarcks
    Favourite KarlMarcks
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 8:52 AM

    Is that Nishikubo in the seat?
    The dirty old man who came up with this?
    Whack his pipi!

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Conway
    Favourite Declan Conway
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 10:30 AM

    How many men will ‘accidentally drop’ something in the aisle just in front?

    “Excuse me, miss? Would you mind…..?”

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pornatologists
    Favourite Pornatologists
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 11:32 AM

    Deadly!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute joe power
    Favourite joe power
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 12:00 PM

    Theres nothing sexy about someone with the body of a teenage boy in a mini skirt severing tea and coffee.now the Ryanair staff would be well worth a look.mmmmm

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe O Connor
    Favourite Joe O Connor
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:12 AM

    It would only invite sexual harassment from perverts. The rest of us humans just see it as extremely attractive and happy-making.

    220
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris
    Favourite Chris
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:55 AM

    True, but why subject them to the few perverts that you are talking about?

    I have to say it’s a fair point coming from these air hostesses, they’re not strippers they don’t get paid so people can stare at their crack every time they have to pick something up.
    They work in close proximity to their customers and exposing all is likely to leave them vulnerable to the testosterone driven male that’ll feel the need to touch when he sees bare legs in his face.

    Anyway, it’s been a case of a race to the bottom for airline staff the past few years. This company seems to be giving the concept a whole new meaning.

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry L'Oiseau
    Favourite Larry L'Oiseau
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 8:11 AM

    Hhmm, I thought that conventional wisdom now was that women can wear what they like and not be held responsible for the impact of the way they dress.
    This seems to run contrary to that.

    Both women and men should know how to dress appropriately and behave appropriately.

    66
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ben Gunn
    Favourite Ben Gunn
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 8:28 AM

    Really ….at what stage does “happy making” become a perversion?

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Claffey
    Favourite Sean Claffey
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 8:34 AM

    Maybe they should start employing strippers then

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris
    Favourite Chris
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 8:48 AM

    Believe it or not they’re not just waiters, waitresses, pretty things to look at.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 11:23 AM

    Chris you sound like a woman from the 1980′s.
    The mini skirt uniform is optional. It’s just to go with the company’s advertising campaign. No one’s going to be forced to wear it.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris
    Favourite Chris
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 12:03 PM

    Sorry didn’t cop that it was non-compulsory to wear it, that’s a game changer alright.

    If they want to wear it, I’m all for it.

    Expecting someone to would be a different kettle of fish though.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Nelly Nelson
    Favourite Paul Nelly Nelson
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:56 AM

    This is a disgrace! We demand more pictures so there can be a thourough disapproval of this immoral behaviour.

    187
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall B.
    Favourite Niall B.
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:12 AM

    Easiest solution is get the guys to wear them too.

    117
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darrell Healy
    Favourite Darrell Healy
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:10 AM

    Ya, I think the girls like the costumes because it’s cute !

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot O Dwyer
    Favourite Dermot O Dwyer
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:19 AM

    The missing Back Box really does exist…..

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bill
    Favourite Bill
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:21 AM

    Dermot the black box is orange in colour

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Sharp
    Favourite Dave Sharp
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:43 AM

    Wrangers!!!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The New Fremen
    Favourite The New Fremen
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:27 AM

    Down with miniskirts!

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike O'Sullivan
    Favourite Mike O'Sullivan
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 10:21 AM

    Up with miniskirts.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The New Fremen
    Favourite The New Fremen
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 3:57 PM

    I think that’s what I meant, Simpsons reference

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute artur filip
    Favourite artur filip
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:15 AM

    Is good example to follow for other budget lines

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute bacoxy
    Favourite bacoxy
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:21 AM

    The heels need to be higher

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Genocidal Capitalist
    Favourite Genocidal Capitalist
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 8:00 AM

    I smell a Lisa Mc column.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damien Mc Padden
    Favourite Damien Mc Padden
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 8:36 AM

    “I’ll have an aisle seat, please.”

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute lordbarret
    Favourite lordbarret
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:42 AM

    All companies are reducing costs and this is just another example. Well done to the company

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis J. Underwood
    Favourite Francis J. Underwood
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:17 AM

    There’s no better way to overpower a trickle of doubt than with a flood of naked truth.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Bourne
    Favourite Jason Bourne
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 11:32 AM

    Deep.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Doyle McCormack
    Favourite Darren Doyle McCormack
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 8:22 AM

    Do the male cabin staff have to wear these too?

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Moran
    Favourite Tony Moran
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 8:01 AM

    Your man on the chair thinks he’s Hugh Hefner.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spud Jones
    Favourite Spud Jones
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:38 AM

    Cut backs!?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emmet Purcell
    Favourite Emmet Purcell
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 9:03 AM

    Hang on, hang on.

    We are constantly told, quite rightly, that the outfit a woman wears is in no way culpable if it results in any form of sexual harassment or – god forbid – sexual assault.

    So WHY is this union basically saying that if the women will the skirts, they will face sexual harassment? That’s not the staff’s fault. Introduce the uniforms and if staff are comfortable about wearing them, let it be.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute molly coddled
    Favourite molly coddled
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 8:06 AM

    Mini skirts were quite common as flight attendant uniforms in the 60′s and 70′s. PSA had very colourful ones.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RichieBerlin
    Favourite RichieBerlin
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:53 AM

    Nice outfits. They just need high heels to finish it off.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam Aritan
    Favourite Sam Aritan
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 9:26 AM

    Skirts no more than 2 inches above the knee – that was the rule in our co ed secondary school. In reality a lot of the girls dresses were closer to 2 inches below the waist.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid O'Connor
    Favourite Diarmuid O'Connor
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:32 AM

    Careful now.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mossmeister
    Favourite mossmeister
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 9:21 AM

    A father ted comment! How original!

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid O'Connor
    Favourite Diarmuid O'Connor
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 9:32 AM

    A made up moniker by a dick afraid to put his name to his opinion, how original.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emer Caffrey
    Favourite Emer Caffrey
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 7:54 AM

    it’s like a scene from Grace brothers ‘are you being served’ – bring on Linda Martin

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lee Owens
    Favourite Lee Owens
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 9:58 AM

    Thats my kinda “turbulance”

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Ward
    Favourite John Ward
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 9:16 AM

    Storm in a D cup!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute crankyrider
    Favourite crankyrider
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 10:19 AM

    Skymark airlines. If they bend over too much it could be skid mark airlines

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Laurie Cullinan
    Favourite Laurie Cullinan
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 12:05 PM

    Where is the link to this advert? I need to make an independent judgement on this.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tara Browne
    Favourite Tara Browne
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 12:00 PM

    Well it being a Japanese airline I would be glad that there was no mention of squids or eels included in my standard uniform!!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ephen Fecker
    Favourite Ephen Fecker
    Report
    Mar 12th 2014, 5:36 PM

    Somebody at the journal thinks the headline is funny and draws attention to that fact. Making things worse. It’s not remotely funny or clever. It’s just bland and stupid.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds