An investigation has reportedly been launched after a cabin crew member d!ed after she was asked to continue working despite falling ill during a flight.

 

 

 

 

 

Eva Air, which has its base in the Taiwanese city of Taoyuan and operates routes across the world, says it is investigating allegations that a senior supervisor reportedly ignored the plight of the seriously unwell flight attendant during a flight from Italy to Taipei last month, according to local media.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colleagues have claimed that the unnamed employee was ‘forced’ to continue working during the September long-haul flight despite their worsening condition.

 

 

 

 

 

Further claims suggest that the inflight supervisor didn’t seek medical assistance at all while the plane was airborne nor did they request urgent medical help to greet the plane on the tarmac.

 

 

 

 

 

The report of the airline investigation comes following criticism on social media, after reports of the tragedy quickly spread online.

 

 

 

 

 

 

An anonymous poster, claiming to be cabin crew, wrote: ‘This was not some regrettable coincidence, but the result of systemic and long-term indifference to crew members’ health.’

 

 

 

 

 

The reported death has sparked protests, with cabin crew union members holding white flowers and placards at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei this week, while shouting: ‘Life is priceless; requesting leave is not a crime.’

 

 

 

 

 

The airline has been strongly criticised for its alleged employee regulations that link absence for personal reasons or illness to performance.

 

 

 

 

 

EVA Airways flight attendant Lee Yi-han told the Taipei Times this week that the company uses a point system for absence.

 

 

 

 

 

They said that the current system sees employees deducted points if they take sick leave, with illness on public holidays such as the Lunar New Year seeing them stripped of the most points.

 

 

 

 

 

Another publication, Focus Taiwan, said the Taoyuan Flight Attendants’ Union has now called for a major investigation into the loss of life.

 

 

 

 

 

The Union met earlier this week on October 13th and said Eva Air should respond to unanswered questions surrounding the crew member’s request to stop working during the flight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They added that the investigation should focus on whether the supervisor’s behaviour during the long-haul flight amounted to bullying in the workplace.

 

 

 

 

 

Eva Air has said it was only informed of the employee’s death on October 11th and that it was supporting the deceased employee’s family.

 

 

 

 

 

The Taoyuan City Office of Labour Inspection said this week that it would also launch its own investigation.