Appeals from Malaysia Airlines (MAS) female flight attendants to the government since 2003 to intervene and advise the company to end gender discrimination practices in the company had fallen on deaf ears .

Noting the plight of the group, DAP today called on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to direct the national airline to abolish all discriminatory practices to prove his commitment in recognising women workers' right to equality and justice in Malaysia.

"DAP is of the view that as the national carrier, MAS must reflect the wish of the government to end gender bias as stated by Abdullah in the recently concluded NAM Ministerial Meeting on the Advancement of Women," DAP Wanita chairperson Chong Eng said in a statement.

In addition, she said, Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution was amended in 2001 to prohibit gender-based discrimination.

"The prime minister therefore has a responsibility to look into the following complaints of the MAS female cabin crew; retirement age, maternity leave and two surviving children (in relation to termination if pregnant with third child)," added the Bukit Mertajam MP.

Amend CA

The premier is urged to direct the airline to change the following in the existing collective agreement (CA) between MAS and the Malaysia Airline Employees Union (MASEU).

  • Increase the retirement age of female staff from 40 years, at present, to 55 years as currently practised in the case of male staff in similar job positions.

  • Female staff should be entitled to full maternity benefits and this should include full pay, medical leave and compassionate leave during the pregnancy period till confinement.

  • To comply with Section 37(c) of the Employment Act 1955 which guarantees a woman the right to full pay and benefits for up to five surviving children.

    • As it stands, a female flight attendant is only entitled to maternity leave benefits "for not more than two surviving children. In the event that she becomes pregnant after having two surviving children, she shall resign from the company, failing which the company reserves the right to terminate her services".

    Chong Eng also slammed gender biases in the retirement age schemes where female crew are made to retire at 40 and female supervisory crew at 45 as opposed to 55 for all male crew.

    According to the CA, stewardesses are given "special gratuity at the rate of RM800 per year for every completed year of service with the company" upon retirement.

    In other airlines

    The MP quoted the retirement ages of other airlines "that put MAS' employment policies to shame" where female crew on Air India are allowed to retired at 60, Thai Airways - 60, Cathay Pacific - 60, All Nippon Airways - 65, Lufthansa - 60 and Malaysia's very own budget carrier Air Asia - 55 years.

    The MAS-MASEU CA also contravenes Article 11 of the international Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW) which Malaysia is a signatory to. The article guarantees equitable maternity benefits as an inalienable right to all human beings.

    "The CA provides for employment conditions that are below the acceptable standards as set by the employment act. It (also) contravenes the Federal Constitution. MAS should focus on the professionalism (involving) female crew rather than their external appearances ," added Chong Eng.

    The prime minister was urged to seriously prove the government's commitment to CEDAW, the Federal Constitution and gender equality.