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ANA eases dress code for female workers allowing shoes without heels

May 09 (Kyodo) - All Nippon Airways Co. has eased its company dress code that mandated female cabin attendants and ground staff wear high heels, the company said Friday.

The change, which comes amid a movement against requiring women to wear such shoes in the workplace, took effect May 1 and includes its group companies. It follows a similar move by Japan Airlines Co., which revised its regulations and allowed the wearing of shoes with no heels from April.

But, ANA said female staff must still wear pumps that are made of plain, black leather and do not cover the instep, as the style goes well with the uniform. Walking and ballet shoes remain banned.

ANA is now asking that heels have a height of around 5 centimeters or below and a width of 3 cm or more. It had previously required heels to have a height and width of between 3 and 5 cm.

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