Chinese Airlines - Discrimination or Excellence?
August 12th, 2008Discrimination, Fair labor practicesDo you have a dream to travel the world?
Are you twenty-five years old, five foot eight inches tall, and pretty?
Then why not be a flight attendant?
If you’re Chinese, you’re too old - that’s why. You’re also too tall.
That’s the situation which confronts those who seek employment within the airline industry in China. Many of the recruitment practices which are common throughout the industry are highlighted in a reality TV program, which shows the annual recruitment drive of China Southern, the country’s largest carrier.
According to a report in the Los Angeles Times last year, the program, which is partly funded by the airline, resembles more of a beauty contest than a serious recruitment process. Requirements for qualification are simple – you must be aged between eighteen and twenty-four, and you must be between five foot three and five foot seven inches tall. If you do not meet these requirements, you are not considered suitable for passenger service.
The airline does hire male flight attendants, but these are hired in the traditional way, not on the program. (refer article)
Unethical in some countries, encouraged in others
From the viewpoint of many in the western world, such practices are discriminatory and should not be legal. Not so in the world’s fastest growing aviation market, where many passengers equate beauty with excellence.
To be fair, the airline industry in China is in the early stages of development, and for many years, discriminatory practices occurred in western countries as well. In the US for example, discrimination against men or married women was only made illegal in 1971, many years after the birth of the industry. (refer article)
In China, hiring specifications may well be relaxed as the industry matures over time, particularly as demand for staff increases in line with strong industry growth.
Business practices, it seems, that may be considered unacceptable in some parts of the world are actually encouraged in other parts of the world.
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