Qatar Airways eases crew pregnancy rules

Qatar Airways eases crew pregnancy rules

Qatar Airways says it has relaxed controversial policies which saw cabin crew sacked if they became pregnant or got married within the first five years of employment.

The restrictions, which had been condemned by UN agency the International Labour Organization (ILO), had been phased out “over the past six months”, a spokeswoman for the company told AFP on Wednesday.

“Our policies have evolved with the airline’s growth,” the spokeswoman added.

Under the new regulations, women who become pregnant are now offered temporary ground jobs and staff can also get married after notifying the company.

Other regulations which had drawn complaints from staff – such as women crew members can only be picked up from work by their father, brother or husband – are thought to remain in place, at least for the present.

Qatar Airways has about 9000 cabin crew and around three-quarters of these are female.

In June, the ILO had called on the Doha-based airline to scrap contracts concerning rules on pregnancy, saying such measures were “discriminatory”.

The ILO had looked into the Doha-based airline’s employment rules after the International Transport Workers’ Federation and the International Trade Union Confederation brought the case to the UN agency.

It said the provision on pregnancy breached its 57-year-old convention against discrimination at work, which has been ratified by more than 170 countries.

However the spokeswoman for Qatar Airways said the recent changes had been brought into place after senior management began a review of working practices last year, and not in response to international criticism.

Earlier this year Qatar Airways won the airline of the year award for the third time at the annual Skytrax world awards at the Paris air show.

Latest News

  • Cruise

New MSC Australia boss talks hot topics for local cruisers, including the Caribbean

Aussies are hot for Caribbean cruising right now, says Antonio Paradiso, MSC vice president of international sales and new head of cruising for MSC’s Australian operations. Paradiso’s journey at MSC Cruises began in 2008 as commercial manager for Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Rising swiftly, he led operations across 30 countries as executive director for Asia […]

  • Tour Operators

Contiki’s latest campaign inspires travellers to engage with the world around them

Contiki has partnered with creative agency We Are Social for its latest campaign, Switch on Social Travel which showcases a seven-day trip through Portugal and Spain. The campaign took 17 content creators from the US and Australia with a combined following of over 20 million and encouraged them to disconnect from their platforms for the duration of […]

  • Conferences

Aussies a hit on the conference floor for IPW 2024

The Aussie traveller was wooed at IPW this week, hitting the top five markets for a number of states, including Texas and Utah, plus New York City. IPW, the blue-chip travel soiree, drives more than $5.5 billion in economic impact in future travel to the US and more than 600 media representatives from around the world […]

  • Cruise

Disney excited about prospects of cruise business as Disney Treasure nears completion

Disney has revealed that its cruise business is booming and plays a pivotal role in the company’s financial success as it prepares for the launch of its newest ship. CFO of Disney Cruise Line Hugh Johnston said the business is a significant contributor to the revenue and operating income growth in Disney’s Parks and Experiences […]

  • Aviation

Scoot’s first E190-E2 flights take off between Krabi and Hat Yai

Scoot has begun operating its first Embraer E190-E2 aircraft with a launch event at Singapore Changi Airport with guests offered first look at the new aircraft. Guest of Honour Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance were in attendance as well as several aviation partners and media. The new E190-E2 […]

  • Hotels

Premium hotel operator ERDI launches it’s own academy in heart of Melbourne

ERDI, a private collection of premium hotels and hospitality businesses, has announced the launch of ERDI Academy, the next chapter of hospitality education and the legacy of founders Eva and Les Erdi. Starting in the mid-1980s, ERDI offers hospitality education with a commitment to community enrichment from its base at its Mercure Welcome Melbourne on […]

  • Destinations

Tropical North Queensland action-packed events calendar for adventure enthusiasts

Sporting enthusiasts and adventure seekers are gearing up for an action-packed year in Tropical North Queensland, with a lineup of sports events and adrenaline-pumping experiences set to take centre stage in 2024. Leading the charge is the highly-anticipated return of the Crankworx World Tour ‘Paradise Edition’ to Cairns from 22-26 May 2024. The mountain biking […]

  • Aviation
  • Sustainability

Singapore Airlines Group first to receive SAF from Neste as AU/NZ play catchup

Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has signed an agreement with Neste to purchase 1,000 tonnes of neat Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel TM. The purchase makes SIA and Scoot the first carriers to receive Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) produced at Neste’s refinery in the country, at Singapore Changi Airport. The milestone will also mark the first […]

  • Aviation

Qantas Red Tail sale discounts more than 200,000 fares

Qantas has launched its latest International Red Tail sale, discounting more than 200,000 fares to Los Angeles, New York, Honolulu and other US destinations, plus Vancouver. The discounted seats are available to book either as a cash fare or as a reward seat using points. Thirty routes are on sale, including 10 for under $1,199 […]

  • Health & Wellness

Bannisters by the Sea unveils retreat style package for new mothers

Boutique hotel Bannisters by the Sea has revealed a brand-new package for new mothers – Bannisters Mummymoon – right in time for Mother’s Day. Designed to nurture and rejuvenate new mothers, this luxurious escape prioritises postpartum self-care and wellbeing in a serene coastal setting. Reconnecting and Recharging: The two-night Mummymoon allows mums to reconnect with […]

  • Destinations

APT offers destination incentives to enjoy the Best of Asia

APT Luxury Travel launches has launched its Asia Sale featuring 20 trips, with journeys through Vietnam and Cambodia as highlights, as well as opportunities to explore Japan, South Korea, India and Sri Lanka. It’s ‘Spiritual Cambodia and the Mekong’ land and river cruise tour for example takes guests on an all-inclusive 11-day journey through Vietnam […]

  • Travel Agents

Disney Days returns with Inside Out 2 showing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland

Time is running out for agents to register their Expression of Interest to an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated Disney and Pixar film, Inside Out 2, hosted by Disney Destinations Australia/New Zealand team and partner United Airlines. Places are limited and applications must be in by 17 May. In addition to the screening of the […]

  • Cruise

Aranui Cruises slashes prices with No Single Supplement and Half Price offers

French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises is slashing thousands off its 2025 Austral and Marquesas Islands cruises with an autumn sale offering 50 per cent off the second guest in a twin share room and no single supplement for solo travellers. On sale until June 21, 2024, Aranui’s 12-day roundtrip voyage from Papeete to […]

  • Destinations

Raes on Wategos celebrates 30th birthday and guests get the presents

World famous luxury boutique hotel Raes on Wategos, in Byron Bay, has launched its 30th birthday celebrations with a Raes Indulgent Escape package. Available for all stays of two nights or more, from June to August, the curated package offers an invitation to indulge in a shared celebration of Raes 30th birthday, whilst revelling in […]