Cathay Pacific ends skirts-only rule for female staff

Hong Kong, March 30 (IANS) Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific has decided to end its skirts-only rule for female staff members after intense union pressure, the media reported on Friday.

The airline has agreed flight attendants can choose to wear trousers after crew had complained that wearing short skirts had made them feel uncomfortable - especially when putting bags in overhead lockers or taking public transport to and from work, reports the BBC.

But the change will not take place until Cathay refreshes its staff uniforms which could take three years, according to unions.

The skirts-only rule has been in place since the airline was founded in 1946.

Flight attendants had requested a redesign of their workwear in 2014 - saying the skirts were too revealing and may provoke sexual harassment.

The airline said uniforms would be re-evaluated for crew working for both its Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon carriers.