"Forced to stay single and facing the sack if they get pregnant, the staggeringly sexist rules for female cabin crew on Gulf airlines", 16 Feb 2015

Cabin staff working for two major Gulf airlines face losing their jobs for falling pregnant and are even required to get permission before they marry, outraged campaigners claim. According to the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) carriers based in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are guilty of 'flagrant abuses of aviation workers' labour rights'.

...According to ITF, Qatar Airways currently operates a draconian hiring policy insisting:

• Flight attendants must ask permission before getting married
• Female flight attendants can only be hired if they're single
• They must remain single for at least five years after starting work
• Female flight attendants must notify the airline immediately if they fall pregnant
• Pregnancy can be considered a breach of contract and can lead to firing

Qatar Airways is not the only Gulf-based airline which stands accused of discriminating against their female workers. Dubai-based Emirates - one of two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates -  is currently operating a policy whereby female cabin crew who become pregnant in the first three years have to leave...