KUCHING: Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS) is of the opinion that Malaysia needs stronger anti-discrimination laws to protect women.
It expressed this view after the service of an airline flight supervisor was reported to have been terminated for being overweight and that she even lost the case in the Industrial Court.
To
this, the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) said, “This is the case of weight
discrimination.”
It proposed that the Human Resources Ministry to table anti-discrimination laws
in the Employment Act as soon as possible.
SWWS president Margaret Bedus said it would be good if there were laws to protect women in such matters.
“Otherwise, more women will suffer similar fate in the future. Quality of work and delivery are more important than whether we are too fat or thin,” she said.
Margaret was also disappointed at the way the flight supervisor was treated.
“First, what is the definition of overweight? If she was terminated because of her weight, then that is discrimination.
“Can a person’s worth and productivity be measured by size?” she asked.
WOA is a Malaysian non-governmental organisation (NGO) that provides free shelter, counselling and crisis support to women and children who experience abuse.
