Women speak out for Qatar Airways staff on March 8th
Women around the world will be backing staff at Qatar Airways (QR) who are subject to victimisation and mistreatment
tomorrow, International Women’s Day. They will be protesting to the airline over its unacceptable attitudes to female
workers, as part of an international expression of support organised by the ITF (International Transport Workers’
Federation) (see www.8marchqatar.orgfor more details).
Women are particularly vulnerable at the autocratically-run airline, where any infringement of the draconian rules can
lead to termination, deportation and even imprisonment. Anyone who becomes pregnant is liable to be dismissed straight
away. QR staff are not allowed to marry for five years, and even after that time have to ask permission to wed. They are
kept under constant strict surveillance (even in their private time) and are subject to inspections, curfews and
arbitrary dismissal. All personnel are subjected to lifelong gagging clauses. (See www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/9707 and also this pioneering recent article in Sweden’s Expressen newspaper:www.expressen.se/nyheter/the-truth-about-the-luxury-of-qatar-airways for more on QR rules)
ITF president Paddy Crumlin commented: “To work for Qatar Airways is to always be looking over your shoulder – and
that’s particularly true for women workers. It’s a climate of fear. The airline’s unwholesome reputation is more than
deserved. International Women’s Day gives a focus for something that must be a mission all year round: to bring
wholesale change to this notorious employer.”
ENDS