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Hong Kong cabin crew action day to end forced retirement
25 May 2006
Workers in Hong Kong are organising an action day on 1 June in a bid to see off a rule that is forcing some cabin crew to retire at the age of 45.
Workers employed by airlines based in Hong Kong are being subjected to a discriminatory rule, which allows some cabin crew to choose their retirement age up to 55, while others are forced to retire at 45. The unions involved are the ITF-affiliated Cathay Pacific Airways Flight Attendants Union and British Airways International Cabin Crew Association as well as the Hong Kong Dragon Air Flight Attendants Association. The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions is also backing the campaign.
On the action day, union representatives, who have sent a letter to the Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and the Labour Commissioner over the issue, will organise a rally at the airport. Passengers will also be encouraged to sign a petition against the practice.
In a letter dated 24 May to Donald Tsang Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, ITF General Secretary David Cockroft commented: “The principles underpinning this rule are archaic and have no place in today’s aviation industry. We strongly support the trade unions’ fight to abolish such regulation. It violates fundamental rights of workers, and it excludes cabin crew from equal opportunities, decent working conditions and benefits, and the right to retire with dignity.”
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