A Malaysian Airlines (MAS) stewardess, Ina Meliesa Hassim, was sacked from her job three years ago because she was 0.7kg over the company's weight standard.

Ina subsequently filed a wrongful dismissal complaint against the airline in September 2017.

But on Feb. 14, 2020, she lost the case as the Industrial Court ruled in favour of the airline, according to Malaysia's Berita Harian.

Weighed more than 61kg

As Ina was 160cm tall, the maximum permissible weight for her under the airline's grooming and uniform guidelines manual was 61kg.

No more than that. But at her last official weigh-in on April 10, 2017, Ina weighed 61.7kg.

As a result of being 0.7kg overweight, she was sacked from her job. She had worked with MAS for about 25 years at the time of her dismissal.

Lost dismissal case against airline

Chairman of Industrial Court, Syed Noh Said Nazir, explained that MAS had proved the decision to terminate Ina was "fair and just".

He added that the airline had given "ample opportunities and chances" for her to comply with the weight requirement.

It was reported that Ina had repeatedly failed to meet the airline’s weight requirement for 18 months.

The court also ruled that the company's rationale behind implementing the weight policy was sufficiently justified.

In a circular to its employees dated Oct. 20, 2015, MAS stated, according to The Edge Markets:

“As cabin crew, apart from maintaining the appearance as set by the company, you are also responsible to ensure the safety of our passengers while in flights.

Being front liners in uniform, cabin crew cast an unforgettable image in the minds of our valued guests."

The airline added that the weight requirement was also part of its effort to maintain its image as a premium airline.

Malaysian government criticised

The National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) has voiced out its disappointment with the court's ruling.

Seeking redress for Ina's mistreatment, Nufam urged the Malaysian government to amend labour laws which are discriminatory.

Nufam added that it would be writing to the Human Resources Ministry and the Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, to ask them to reconsider such terminations by airlines.

In a statement on Feb. 19, Nufam said that the ruling reflected poorly on the airline, according to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), as it supposedly showed that MAS had discriminatory practices.

Nufam also asked rhetorically what will happen to MAS's "young and slim" cabin crew if they put on weight in later years.

Malaysia Airlines deemed sexist and discriminatory

Malaysia's Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) also echoed Nufam's disagreeement in regards to Ina's case, reported New Straits Times.

WAO labelled Malaysia Airlines as sexist and discriminatory for sacking Ina only based on her weight.

This consequently emphasises the degrading and dehumanising notion that air stewardesses are merely for eye candy, explained WAO.

Like Nufam, WAO also suggested that stronger anti-discrimination laws should be put in place by the Malaysian government.

It added that the Human Resources Ministry must table the proposed laws in Malaysia's Employment Act as soon as possible.

According to New Straits Times, WAO said that Malaysia needed to prove that the weight criteria was an indispensable requirement of the job, and that the notions of "image" is not sufficient.

WAO added that if Malaysia Airlines wanted to be seen as a respectable airline, it had to treat its staff with respect.

Top photos via Getty Images.