Letter to the Editor
"AirAsia Crew to Retire At 55"
15th August 2003

Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) refers to the newsreport "AirAsia Crew to Retire at 55" (The Star, page 6, 15 August 2003).

We would like to applaud AirAsia for its progressive policy in extending and equalising the age of retirement for its cabin crew to 55 years. It demonstrates a firm commitment towards gender equality and non-discrimination, and reaffirms the government's commitment towards the same end through Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution. Not only that, this clearly shows that AirAsia truly appreciates the quality and value of its employees, without any superficial or stereotypical filters.

It is heartening to see national company employing human resource policies which seeks to eliminate gender discrimination. AirAsia's efforts to train more female pilots also exemplifies further commitment to break gender-based barriers, and we share their enthusiasm in seeing more women pilots in our national airlines.

On the other hand, WAO urges Malaysian Airlines to follow this lead, and adapt their human resource policies to a similar principle. This will ensure that Malaysian women and men both enjoy the same form of benefits and protection as employees under their company; a move that will match their efforts in providing quality service. To do so will also demonstrate that Malaysian Airlines - an international airline company representing the country - is not lagging behind through its gender stereotyped employment policies. It would be a shame if Malaysian Airline's excellent asset in their cabin crew be wasted prematurely simply because of an archaic retirement policy that does not recognise their value.

Jaclyn Kee
Communications Officer

Related Article:

• Malaysian Airlines Discriminatory Retirement Policy