Malaysia Airlines flight attendants are now permitted to have up to three children, from a previous limit of two, after the carrier was forced to revise its hiring policies, officials said today.

Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy said in a statement that the new rules were agreed in negotiations between the airline and its workers' union last month.

Under the old provisions, female flight attendants faced the sack if they had more than two children and were forced to retire once hitting the age of 40 to 45 depending on rank.

Women's rights groups have urged the airline to review its working conditions, particularly the retirement age of 45, the limit on children and maternity benefits.

Besides being allowed to have one more child, stewardesses over the age of 45 can now move into ground jobs and work up to the age of 55.

Malaysia Airline policies on hiring female flight attendants were highlighted by the case of a former stewardess, Beatrice Fernandez, who was sacked in 1991 after she refused to resign for falling pregnant.

After a nearly 14-year legal battle, Malaysia's highest court in March rejected her petition to review the airline's working conditions, although they were later amended to allow women to have a maximum of two children.

The case drew criticism from Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who urged the airline to review its "archaic" policies.