The Flight Attendants' and Stewards' Association of the Philippines (FASAP) filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on the alleged anti-women and gender discrimination policies of the flag carrier Philippine Airlines' (PAL). As CHR Chairperson Rosetta Rosales received the complaint on Monday morning, she commented that the violations of PAL are “obvious,” and that the CHR will work together with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in resolving the issue. FASAP had already brought the case to DOLE for preventive mediation. Rosales said the case is a “top priority” and the CHR will come out with a resolution by the end of the month. “Obvious na obvious and violation. Nasa Constitution na dapat pantay-pantay,” said Rosales, who assured FASAP that the CHR will give priority to their complaint. Three major issues FASAP president Roberto Anduiza said the original negotiations on the PAL management policies have been reduced to three major points: the discriminatory retirement age, the mandatory pregnancy leave, and their wages. In its statement, FASAP said that the PAL-FASAP Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) provides a complusory retirement age, which is higher for males at 60, compared to females at 55. Moreover, the new hires are retired at the much younger age of 40. FASAP proposes to have an equal retirement age for men and women, consistent with the Constitutional mandate declaring that the “State shall ensure the fundamental equality before th elaw of women and men” (Sec. 14, Art. II, 1987 Constitution). FASAP also seeks to raise the retirement age of new hires, as the Constitution guarantees “equality of employment opportunities for all” (Sec. 3, Art. XIII, 1987 Constitution). FASAP has been trying to correct these discriminatory provisions for years but PAL has been playing hardball and employing tactics that force the flight attendants to abandon its cause, the flight attendants said. Only flight attendants are forced to retire at 40. Managerial and ground employees retire at 65. “By forcing us to retire before our time PAL is depriving us of our right to gainful employment and a dignified retirement,” read the statement. Stereotyped as glamorous “In an industry where safety is critical, the skills and experience of senior crew members should be valued, not discarded indifferently or as a matter of policy,” they said. Such a policy finds root in sexism, as flight attendants have been stereotyped since the 1930s as sexy, exuberant, glamorous and feminine, the statement read. PAL's policies are “antiquated and sexist, not rooted in logic or common sense but by sheer discrimination based on sexism and appearances,” said FASAP. Merit and performance As safety professionals, flight attendants have a right to be treated based on merit and performance, not age and gender. Despite the Magna Carta for Women, PAL imposes a mandatory pregnancy leave where pregnant flight attendants must go on leave without pay. Worse, the period they are on pregnancy leave is subtracted from their years of service.
