Prejudice against female workers in the hospitality industry aroused public concern at a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15 under the co-sponsorship of the municipal University of Law and the Rey Juan Carlos University of Spain.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen and Nguyen Thi Kieu Oanh from the HCMC University of Law shared the view that atop their domestic workloads and time pressures, public prejudice experienced by women in services seen as ‘sensitive’ - such as restaurant and hotel staff and tourist guides - constitutes a major obstacle to women in the hospitality industry.

Women have limited access to training and are at greater risk of being dismissed than their male colleagues, they said.

Workshop participants asked lawmakers to review regulations on gender to provide concrete tools and increase preferential policies for women-intensive businesses.

They also proposed that relevant agencies intensify education on gender and campaign for gender equality.

“Public agencies and political organisations should promote gender equality right at their workplace and eliminate prejudice against women working in ‘sensitive’ services,” many said.

The hospitality industry provides over 1 million new jobs every year and women make up more than 42% of the sector’s workforce.

The sector also contributes to some 10% of the gross domestic product.