Furloughed Japanese airline workers to work as Shinto shrine attendants throughout New 12 months’s holidays

0
367

[ad_1]

(CNN) — Around the globe, many furloughed staff are toughing out the coronavirus pandemic by taking second or third jobs.

As a substitute of driving for Uber or delivering groceries, although, a bunch of workers members at Japan Airways (JAL) has been dispatched to work in Shinto shrines.

Some JAL crew members in Fukuoka prefecture are working as miko, or shrine maidens, through the New 12 months’s interval, when shrines are usually fairly busy with folks coming to make needs and ask for blessings within the new 12 months. (The phrase ‘miko’ is each singular and plural in Japanese.)

JAL gave a number of the staffers ​usually engaged with worldwide flights — who’re furloughed or have had their work hours reduce considerably — alternatives to use for paid positions as miko, who as per customized should be single ladies. The positions had been elective, and staff utilized through an in-house on-line portal.

Subsequent, staff who had been chosen to be miko did a quick coaching course on the Munakata Taisha shrine in Fukuoka prefecture. They realized primary shrine vocabulary and etiquette and wore conventional gown — with face masks, in fact.

Many shrines all through Japan are understaffed already, significantly through the New 12 months’s interval when attendance is increased than common, so the thought of utilizing furloughed staff to step into these momentary roles solved two issues without delay.

“We predict Japan Airways’ first-class customer support might encourage all our workers at shrines,” a consultant for the shrine informed CNN Journey. “On the identical time, we want the JAL workers to expertise the Japanese conventional tradition and Japanese spirit and make the very best use what they realized for future.”

See also  Woman shot in the head during Myanmar protest dies, the first known fatality of the ongoing unrest

Shrine attendants shouldn’t have to be spiritual themselves and usually are not required to take any type of non secular vows. As a substitute, their duties encompass passing out omamori (amulets or good luck charms) and ofuda (talismans) to the shrine guests.

And this 12 months’s miko could have extra duties of finishing up Covid-19 protocols, together with preserving worshipers safely distanced and controlling crowd movement.

They are going to fulfill these duties from January 1-11.

[ad_2]

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here