Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has pointed out that it is her ministry's job to be practical and realistic when championing any cause or issue.

"We do not play to the gallery only. We are interested in results and we have made a difference," she said in response to remarks by the Joint Action Group Against Violence Against Women (JAG) that they were "disillusioned'' with Shahrizat's ministry for "accepting such a discriminatory compromise'' over the MAS stewardesses issue.

In a statement carried by the Malay Mail today, the minister stressed: "There is no compromise on this. Which was why we took it upon ourselves to meet up with MAS and even the Minister of Transport to intervene and make sure the plight of the stewardesses is addressed seriously.

"MAS responded by agreeing to review the issues we have forwarded. Positive changes were made to the Collective Agreement (CA) as agreed by the Malaysian Airlines System Employees Union (Maseu).

"I have said that it is an improvement. Nobody can deny that. We will continue to push for better terms for the stewardesses. The struggle will continue until we achieve true equality," she added.

Emphasising her stand against all forms of discrimination, Shahrizat had said that the union should be practical.

"When they (stewardesses) signed up, they knew the limitations," she had said, pointing out that employment as an air stewardess included the demands and the flying hours required of them.

Meanwhile, the MAS Flight Attendants Association (Mafaa), while welcoming the proposed provisions for MAS stewardesses, felt that there was room for improvement.

Review terms

In a statement also carried by the Malay Mail today, it said Mafaa had, over several years, asked that the terms be reviewed to improve the lot of the flight attendants.

"This is definitely a move forward to help female flight attendants. The association also believes those leading the CA should recognise the importance in each CA signed, as the CA not only represents a handful of employees but all employees," it added.

Mafaa has 1,400 members, of which 900 are also members of Maseu which represents all employees of the national carrier.

Meanwhile, Puteri Umno head Noraini Ahmad said the review of some terms in the collective agreement (CA) is a good move.

"However, MAS should not put a limit on the number of children that a stewardess can have," Noraini was quoted by the Malay Mail as saying yesterday.

"In these times, there are various ways and medicines for women to regain their shape after childbirth."

She added that MAS stewardesses should be allowed to resume flying after giving birth.