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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."
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(Agencies)
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英国工会的领导们认为，基于健康和安全方面的原因，工作场所应该禁穿“斗零”高跟鞋。
英国工会联盟在一项提议中表示，高跟鞋是对女性人格的贬低，而且会对身体造成永久性的伤害。该联盟的大部分成员都为男性。
他们建议女性穿着“高度合理的鞋子”，鞋跟不要超过一英寸，从而避免导致脚部和背部疼痛及损伤。这一提议将在下个月的会议上进行辩论。
提出该项建议的足科医师协会表示：“工会联盟认为，高跟鞋也许在好莱坞的走秀红毯上看起来光艳四射，但是在日常的工作环境中却完全不适宜。”
“足部每天承受着日常生活的重担，对于许多要长久站立的劳动者来说，不合脚的鞋，特别是高跟鞋是危险之源。每年约有200万天的病休是由下肢不适而导致的。
“穿高跟鞋可引发长期的足部疾病，比如水泡，鸡眼，老茧，以及严重的脚部、膝部和背部疼痛和关节损伤。
“许多零售业的雇主会强迫女员工穿高跟鞋，并把穿高跟鞋作为着装规范的一部分。
“我们必须采取更多行动来唤起人们对这一问题的认识，从而使女员工和她们的脚受到保护。”
然而，托利党下院议员纳丁娜•多瑞斯对这一建议提出批评，她说高跟鞋带来的额外高度能在工作场所对女性有所帮助。
她说：“我的身高是5英尺3英寸，我需要借助我的克里斯提•鲁布托高跟鞋的高度才能平视我的男同事，一寸也不能少，如果高跟鞋在议会被禁，那就没人能看得见我了。”
“工会联盟需要实际一点，不要再用这种带有明显性别歧视的策略来讨论女人的高跟鞋，从而引开人们的视线，缓和工党的混乱局面造成的紧张气氛。”
真人秀连续剧《学徒》的往届冠军米歇尔•杜伯里说这个建议感觉是在给女性什么恩赐。
她说：“这个提议非常荒谬，我认为这些工会官员们应该把这些时间花在处理更重要的问题上面。”
“我现在就穿着5英寸的高跟鞋在工作，而且毫不费力。高跟鞋很性感，它能让人感觉更自信，还能赋予女人们力量。
“如果这些官员们在一起讨论男人的领带应该系多紧，我不能想象那将是怎样的一番情景。穿不穿高跟鞋纯粹是个人选择。”
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（英语点津 陈丹妮编辑） |
