"Out of shape" hostesses vow to fight Indian airline

New Delhi: Indian air hostesses embroiled in a legal battle with their employer after they were grounded for being out of shape said the move was unconstitutional and have vowed to win back lost wages.
Eleven women say they have suffered from low self-esteem after being grounded by state-run Indian airline for being between a few hundred grams and 3 kg (6.6 lbs) over the firm's specified weight limit.
"The company told me that I was above the limit and that I should go home until I had lost the excess weight," said 48-year-old Sheela Joshi, who was found to be 500 grams (18 ounces) above her allowed 63 kilos.
Lawyers for the company, known as Indian Airlines until last year, say the women are contractually obliged to meet weight guidelines for health reasons.
"This is an issue about fitness not about image. Cabin crew need to be physically fit for their work," Rupinder Singh Suri, the company's lawyer, told Reuters.
14/11/06 Nita Bhalla/Reuters.uk, UK

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