The Malaysian Insight

A UNION has told Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff to stop worrying about cabin crew attire, and instead, think of ways to help them overcome the impact of Covid-19 on the aviation industry.

National Union of Flight Attendants (Nufam) president Ismail Nasaruddin said there are several matters concerning airline staff that the new government should prioritise, especially with regard to their well-being over the past two months.

“This is not the right time to comment on uniforms. We are dealing with Covid-19 and many other issues, such as a reduction of workers, reduction of flights, economic problems.

“The workers are depressed because their schedules change frequently, so focus on these issues first. Let’s talk about uniforms later,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Earlier this week, Siti Zailah, who is deputy women and family development minister, said she remains committed to her fight for shariah-compliant attire for flight attendants.

The Rantau Panjang MP is also chief of PAS’ Dewan Muslimat, which has led a campaign for a shariah-compliant dress code for airline staff since the Islamist party was in the opposition.

She is due to meet Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri to discuss the issue.

Ismail said Nufam has no problem accepting change, but requested that the matter be discussed with the union first.

 “We are ready to talk, no problem. Get our perspective first. Let’s not pretend that we are nothing. Let whatever decision you make later be accepted by all.

“If it is good, Nufam won’t object. We just hope that all parties understand the real issue. Don’t focus only on flight attendants.

“Other industries, like hotels, do not have skirts? Be fair.”

He added that the government should pay attention to the welfare of workers, who face the risk of contracting the coronavirus while on duty, instead of what they wear.

“The government should have called for compensation for cabin crew who worked the past two months and risked getting infected from travelling passengers. Why was this not raised?

“Workers are under stress. Salaries are not normal, there are deductions in everything and schedules are low.

“Take a look at these things first. Focus on the important matters instead of adding more stress.”

On Thursday, it was reported that Malaysia Airlines Bhd asked 13,000 employees to take unpaid leave due to the impact of Covid-19 on its operations.

The company told all staff to take three months of unpaid leave or five days of unpaid leave each month, for a minimum of three months, beginning April.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has said Putrajaya estimates that the tourism sector lost RM3.37 billion in January and last month due to the virus. – March 15, 2020.