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NHRC Investigative Report—Complaint Filed by the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union Regarding Gender Discriminatory Dress Codes Adopted by Taiwanese Airline Companies

At its 55th meeting on July 23rd, 2024, the National Human Rights Commission of Taiwan (NHRC) approved an investigative report in response to a complaint filed by the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union (TFAU), concluding that the dress codes of Taiwanese airlines constitute gender discrimination under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In the report, the NHRC recommends that the government take a proactive stance in compliance with CEDAW principles and introduce a trousers-based uniform alternative for female cabin crew at Taiwanese airlines as soon as possible. Outside of Taiwan, nearly 100% of major airlines in Europe, America, New Zealand, and Australia offer both skirt and trouser uniform options. Under the Gender Equality in Employment Act, the government is obliged to follow the provisions of CEDAW and formulate guidelines to require airline companies to update their employee dress code in a manner consistent with gender equality, occupational safety, and democratic values.