Qatar Airways has been 'shamed' into changing rules for pregnant cabin crew

The airline will no longer oblige workers to give notice if they plan to get married in the first five years of employment

Qatar Airways cabin crew no longer oblige workers to give notice if they plan to get married in the first five years of employment (AFP PHOTO/Ishara S. KODIKARA)

Qatar Airways will no longer sack women who fall pregnant or require them to seek permission to get married.

The International Transport Workers' Federation, a labour group, said that the airline had been shamed into changing its contracts.

It will no longer oblige workers to give notice if they plan to get married in the first five years of employment. Women who get pregnant are now offered temporary ground jobs rather than facing the sack.

"Qatar Airways has been shamed into action, and that's a tremendous advance," said Paddy Crumlin, president of the International Transport Workers Federation. "No amount of hiding behind 'best airline' awards has kept the truth about how staff are treated from emerging."

But Qatar played down the changes to policy, stating that the rules had "evolved with the airline’s growth". It confirmed the restrictions had been phased out over the last six months.

Crumlin said there was still work to be done. "We, along with everyone who works for the airline, hope that they will now address what many of those workers call the 'climate of fear' at Qatar Airways," he said.

Other controversial policies thought to still in place. A spokesman confirmed that Qatar Airlines' 7000 female staff are only allowed to be picked up from work by their fathers, brothers or husbands.