The Labour Inspectorate of Spain is investigating whether in the selection process the contracting company Meccti announced in Madrid in November its offer of work as an airplane assistant in Kuwait Airways, violated the dignity, privacy and fundamental rights of women. The company may be punished for “very serious infringements” up to €225,000.

In addition to the selection process, Meccti’s own Instagram job offer is under investigation for the required conditions: “That height and weight be proportional and a minimum height of 160 centimeters”, “medically in good condition, able to pass a medical examination of Kuwait”, “excellent general aspect”.

The Spanish Labour Inspectorate has pointed out that the request for private data can be penalised if it can be discriminatory when accessing work. In addition, the inspection is considering whether the actions of Meccti could be prosecuted as a crime to refer them to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Requirements for thinning or fattening

The investigation is opened ex officio because none of the candidates have lodged a formal complaint. However, El Diario collects testimonies from three women who have detailed accounts of how they discriminated hostesses according to their physical characteristics.

Aviation helpers accuse El Diario of a number of attacks, including undressing them until they stay in underwear. A 23-year-old hostess tells the initial selection process: “They threw people who spoke very well in English but were 37 years old. They also had tattoos. The boys, who were only three, were told that they were not going to hire them, because they only took those from Kuwait. A girl was asked: ‘If we asked you to eat more, would you?’ Everything was said in your mouth, without reservation.”

Others were asked to lose six pounds between November and January. Candidates were told they didn't like their bodies because they looked like "rollercoaster," "ugly smile," too many scars or pimples, etc.

Forced to remove clothing

The next step was to enter one by one in a room at the Meliá hotel, next to the Madrid airport of Barajas, where the work interview was, in which a woman studied in detail the body and teeth of the candidates. They then asked them to take their clothes off, to lift their skirt, or to release the buttons and zippers. They measured the height and were asked about the weight to decide whether or not they would continue in the process. In the Spanish state it is illegal for the bodies to be inspected in a job offer. Spanish Secretary of Labor, Joaquín Pérez Rey, has described Meccti’s attitude as “offensive and unacceptable”.

The 23-year-old hostess explained that they were aware that what was happening was not “normal” and that many women left crying out of the selective process. He left before the end of the job interview, but recognizes that it was hard for him to understand and accept what happened: “My parents welcomed me and then I began to realize everything. I felt so bad, at that moment you don't realize it, many say you've done it because you wanted it, but it's so surreal at the time -- I didn't understand what was going on."

Recruitment of hostesses since 1997

Meccti hires international hostesses for airlines such as Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Saudi Arabian Airlines or Spice Jet. The company was born in 1997 under the name of Middle East Cabin Crew Training International and advertise their jobs via social media.