The global travel industry is in the midst of a “breakdown” with the job positions “not sustainable,” according to flight attendants.
In a new report, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) says the aviation sector has been “hit hard” by COVID, with many airlines making job cuts.
The ITF represents around 20 million transport workers in 150 countries, including flight attendants.
Its general secretary, Stephen Cotton, said the pandemic had “exposed the cracks” in the aviation industry.
“The pandemic hit the aviation sector hard. Airlines were forced to cut jobs and routes, and the industry is yet to recover,” he said.
“This has had a knock-on effect on travel as a whole. Jobs are being lost, and those that remain are not sustainable in the long term.”
The ITF says the travel industry employs around 10% of the world’s workforce, and the crisis has “shone a light” on the nature of many of these jobs.
The ITF calls on governments to provide ” urgent and targeted” support to the aviation sector.
It also wants an end to the “race to the bottom” on pay and conditions and for airlines to invest in a “just transition.”
“The pandemic has been a wake-up call for the aviation industry. We can’t resume business as usual,” said Mr. Cotton.
“The time has come for a just transition to a sustainable future for aviation. This must include an end to the race to the bottom on pay and conditions and investment in a green and fair recovery.”
“This is not just a short-term crisis. This is a structural problem in our industry that is not sustainable,” Cotton added.
The ITF says it has seen a “significant increase” in the number of flight attendant members seeking unemployment benefits and that many more were working reduced hours or taking unpaid leave.
Author bio
Blair Thomas has been a music producer, bouncer, and screenwriter, and for over a decade, has been the proud Co-Founder of eMerchantBroker, the highest-rated Travel Merchant Account provider in the country. He has climbed in the Himalayas, survived a hurricane, and lived in a gold mine in the Yukon. He currently calls Thailand his home with a lifetime collection of his favorite books.
