Workers slam gender discrimination in PAL

MANILA, Philippines – Members of a labor union at the Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Monday lodged complaints of gender discrimination and ill treatment of female flight attendants against the beleaguered airline company, calling for the abolition of these erratic policies.

The Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) trooped to the Commission on Human Rights Monday morning, calling the attention of the commission to some of the discriminatory practices allegedly being committed by PAL to its female employees.

FASAP first cited the “unreasonable retirement age” being imposed by PAL, where female flight attendants hired before 1996 are required to retire by the age of 55, five years than the mandatory retirement age of 60.

Meanwhile, those hired after 1996 are forced to retire by age 45, while those hired after 2000 are forced to retire by age 40.

“While being applied to both male and female, [this practice] is actually rooted in sexism, which is ultimately discriminatory against women,” FASAP said in its complaint.

“This just proves that PAL has misplaced its priorities by according a higher degree of importance on the physical aesthetics of its female flight attendants instead of the latter’s capacity to ensure flight safety and security.

Moreover, FASAP complained of the alleged “no-motherhood” policy, where flight attendants are made to undergo an unpaid maternity leave beginning on the third month of their pregnancy. Because of this policy, affected workers are made to use their vacation leaves or accumulated days off, FASAP said.

On top of this, the unpaid maternity leave will be deducted from the worker’s years of service, thus affecting her retirement pay, the group said.

“Lastly, even before she is allowed to return to flying status, the flight attendant must meet the company’s ‘grooming standards.’ This means she has to be pretty or sexy enough in the eyes of PAL management,” FASAP added.

FASAP president Roberto Anduiza, in his letter to CHR Chairperson Etta Rosales, said that they have opened discussions with PAL regarding this policy for the past three years, but PAL allegedly refused to heed to the group’s request.

“Our plea is not unreasonable. In fact, we are merely asking for the implementation of our rights already granted by the law… We just want equality and fairness in the compulsory retirement age and the elimination of gender bias in our CBA [collective bargaining agreement]. Is this too much to ask?” Anduiza lamented.

“Flight attendants are safety professionals who are responsible for the safety and comfort of PAL’s passengers. We are not mere decorations to an aircraft for the visual enjoyment of the passengers. We have a right to be treated based on merit and performance, not age or gender. After long years of service and commitment to PAL, coupled with the passing of Magna Carta of Women, we rightfully deserve to retire with dignity at a reasonable and equal age,” Anduiza said. –Abigail Kwok, INQUIRER.net