While Nicole Kidman has voiced support for women’s rights as a UN Goodwill Ambassador, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants has come out swinging against the Oscar winner for starring in an ad campaign for Etihad Airways. The union cites the United Arab Emirates airline’s alleged abusive labor practices against women as the reason why Kidman should not be a spokeswoman for the airline.
In an open letter to Kidman, the APFA asked the Paddington star to pull out of the campaign. The union even cited Kidman’s own comments on International Women’s Day last month.
“Later that very same week, we saw that you had begun appearing in a new campaign for Etihad, a company that the Wall Street Journal has publicly reported ‘may fire women if they become pregnant’ and forces flight attendants to live in ‘confinement’ in secure compounds,” APFA National President Laura R. Glading wrote. “These are the types of conditions that APFA fought to eradicate decades ago in the United States. Indeed, Etihad is a regressive company that seeks to return our industry to its darkest ages.”
Glading also noted the UAE’s own poor standing among the international community when it comes to women’s rights.
“We urge you, on behalf of the women and girls that you spoke of so eloquently, not to play a part in promoting Etihad Airways, a company that imposes abusive labor practices on its female employees and whose sole owner is a government that stands against the very world that you imagine,” Glading concluded.
Etihad sent a statement to Arabian Business, challenging the APFA’s statements and insisting that it is committed to “the welfare, safety, and well-being of the diverse group of men and women who have worked so hard to make Etihad Airways great is one of our airline’s top priorities.”
The airline claims that there was an independent employee opinion survey, which found that 93 percent of Etihad’s employees were happy to work there. In addition, the airline also said that crew members do get paid maternity leave.
People tried to contact Kidman’s reps, but they did not immediately respond.
image courtesy of Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com