英國工會:工作場所不應穿高跟鞋
Stiletto heels could be banned from the workplace because of health and safety reasons, according to the Trade Union bosses.
The Trade Union Congress, predominantly male, has proposed a motion arguing that high heels are demeaning to women while they also contribute to long term injuries.
They propose instead that women wear "sensible shoes" with an inch heel limit in an attempt to avoid future foot and back pain as well as injuries. The motion is due to be debated at next month's conference.
The motion,tabled by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, states: "Congress believes high heels may look glamorous on the Hollywood catwalks but are completely inappropriate for the day-to-day working environment.
"Feet bear the brunt of daily life, and for many workers prolonged standing, badly fitted footwear, and in particular high heels can be a hazard. Around two million days a year are lost through sickness as a result of lower limb disorders.
"Wearing high heels can cause long-term foot problems, such as blisters, corns and calluses, and also serious foot, knee and back pain and damaged joints.
"Many employers in the retail sector force women workers to wear high heels as part of their dress code.
"More must be done to raise awareness of this problem so that women workers and their feet are protected."
Nadine Dorries, the Tory MP, however criticised the motion and said the extra height heels give women can help them when in the workplace.
"I'm 5ft 3in and need every inch of my Christian Louboutin heels to look my male colleagues in the eye," she said. "If high heels were banned in Westminster, no one would be able to find me.
"The TUC need to get real, stop using overtly sexist tactics by discussing women's stilettos to divert tension away from Labour chaos."
Michelle Dewberry, a former winner of The Apprentice, said the motion was patronising.
"This is absolutely ridiculous and I think these union officials should be spending their time dealing with more important issues," she said.
"I'm at work in five-inch heels and perfectly able to do my job. Heels are sexy, they boost your confidence and they are empowering to women.
"I can't imagine these officials debating a motion about how tightly men should wear their ties. Wearing heels is a personal choice."
英國工會的領導們認爲，基於健康和安全方面的原因，工作場所應該禁穿“鬥零”高跟鞋。
英國工會聯盟在一項提議中表示，高跟鞋是對女性人格的貶低，而且會對身體造成永久性的傷害。該聯盟的大部分成員都爲男性。
他們建議女性穿着“高度合理的鞋子”，鞋跟不要超過一英寸，從而避免導致腳部和背部疼痛及損傷。這一提議將在下個月的會議上進行辯論。
提出該項建議的足科醫師協會表示：“工會聯盟認爲，高跟鞋也許在好萊塢的走秀紅毯上看起來光豔四射，但是在日常的工作環境中卻完全不適宜。”
“足部每天承受着日常生活的重擔，對於許多要長久站立的勞動者來說，不合腳的鞋，特別是高跟鞋是危險之源。每年約有200萬天的病休是由下肢不適而導致的。
“穿高跟鞋可引發長期的足部疾病，比如水泡，雞眼，老繭，以及嚴重的腳部、膝部和背部疼痛和關節損傷。
“許多零售業的僱主會強迫女員工穿高跟鞋，並把穿高跟鞋作爲着裝規範的一部分。
“我們必須採取更多行動來喚起人們對這一問題的認識，從而使女員工和她們的腳受到保護。”
然而，託利黨下院議員納丁娜•多瑞斯對這一建議提出批評，她說高跟鞋帶來的額外高度能在工作場所對女性有所幫助。
她說：“我的身高是5英尺3英寸，我需要藉助我的克里斯提•魯布托高跟鞋的高度才能平視我的男同事，一寸也不能少，如果高跟鞋在議會被禁，那就沒人能看得見我了。”
“工會聯盟需要實際一點，不要再用這種帶有明顯性別歧視的策略來討論女人的高跟鞋，從而引開人們的視線，緩和工黨的混亂局面造成的緊張氣氛。”
真人秀連續劇《學徒》的往屆冠軍米歇爾•杜伯裏說這個建議感覺是在給女性什麼恩賜。
她說：“這個提議非常荒謬，我認爲這些工會官員們應該把這些時間花在處理更重要的問題上面。”
“我現在就穿着5英寸的高跟鞋在工作，而且毫不費力。高跟鞋很性感，它能讓人感覺更自信，還能賦予女人們力量。
“如果這些官員們在一起討論男人的領帶應該系多緊，我不能想象那將是怎樣的一番情景。穿不穿高跟鞋純粹是個人選擇。”
Vocabulary:
Stiletto heels: 一種鞋跟極細極高的高跟鞋，通常鞋跟底的直徑小於一釐米。
demeaning: 有損人格的，貶低人的
table: 提出（議案等）
Chiropodist: 足病診療師
Podiatrist: 足科醫師
catwalk: 時裝模特表演的T型舞臺
brunt: 最沉重（或強烈）的部分
The Apprentice: 美國NBC真人秀連續劇
