Headscarves and Labor Rights
By 
An interesting labor issue as Air France prepares to resume flights to Tehran. Will Air France female flight attendants and pilots be forced to wear headscarves as part of their uniform on the flight itself? They are saying no, Air France is saying yes:
Flore Arrighi, head of the UNAC flight crews’ union, said: “It is not our role to pass judgement on the wearing of headscarves or veils in Iran. What we are denouncing is that it is being made compulsory. Stewardesses must be given the right to refuse these flights.”
She added that female staff were entitled to exercise “individual freedoms”.
The financially ailing French airline, which sees the resumption of Tehran flights as an “excellent” business development, pointed out that other airline staff were obliged to comply with Iranian rules. “Tolerance and respect for the customs of the countries we serve are part of the values of our company,” a spokesman said.
In Saudi Arabia, stewardesses must wear the “abaya”, a long robe that covers the body, but unlike Saudi women they are not compelled to wear face veils.
Air France argued that French law allows “the restriction of individual liberties” if “justified by the nature of the task to be accomplished.”
I don’t really have anything to offer here, but wanted to point out the story.