TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Taiwan posted a statement on Thursday (Aug. 2) calling on the nation’s airlines to provide trousers as options for female flight attendants. 

In response to complaints from the Taoyuan flight attendants union, the NHRC investigated the issue and agreed the lack of pants as a uniform option was a form of discrimination. This is in contravention of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which Taiwan has committed to uphold. 

The NHRC report notes the vast majority of airlines operating international flights have adopted uniform regulations that provide women with the option of wearing pants rather than skirts or dresses. Taiwan's domestic airlines remain outliers, and the NHCR advised them to implement new uniform guidelines as soon as possible. 

The flight attendant union submitted their complaint to the NHRC in August 2023, alleging the uniform requirement for female flight attendants was discriminatory. The filing also noted the requirements of stockings, heeled shoes, makeup, and certain hairstyles, which are required by major airlines like Eva and China Airlines.  

To encourage the airlines to adopt new uniform standards, Taiwan's legislature froze a portion of the Civil Aviation Administration's budget in November 2023. However, airlines have been slow to implement changes.

Beyond the unequal nature of the demands placed on female flight attendants, the union filing also argued that heels and skirts might restrict movement in emergencies. The NHRC agreed with the union’s complaint, finding the existing uniform requirements expose female flight attendants to a higher risk of injury on the job, and may also invite unwanted sexual harassment. 

The NHRC called on the government to assist domestic airlines in formulating guidelines on flight attendant uniforms and work practices to ensure gender equality in the workplace, per the press release.