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Atypical employment in aviation
A threat for safety and for our profession
When it comes to making profits at all costs in our industry, people can be very creative, threatening both air safety and employment. A study carried out by the University of Ghent and funded by the European Commission revealed that the number of “atypical forms of employment” is increasing in Europe’s aviation industry. These new types of “contracts” have many faces: from “zero-hour contracts” to bogus self-employment, passing by Pay2Fly practices. This, combined with the so-called “Flags of convenience” is the ugly reality showing the “race to the bottom” that is taking place in today’s aviation. Find out more in this article on this trend that must be banned.
Flags of convenience
As explained in a short video made by ECA, this practice appeared for the first time in the maritime industry in 1919. At this time, a US ship “flagged” itself Panamanian, in order to circumvent US labour rights and maritime security laws. This new business model expanded in the 50’ and the US fleet became officially almost “inexistent”. The objective is purely commercial: by basing themselves in a country with lower standards, they intend to reduce costs and worsen working conditions. Recently, this practice has been spreading in the aviation industry as well, with airlines such as Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS). This company imagined a very complex structure and took advantage of loopholes in the EU legislation. It transferred its long-haul flights to Ireland, where social legislation is much less stringent than in Norway. It created two branches: one registered in Ireland and one registered in Norway, with both crews based in Bangkok. They operate flights to Thailand, the US and also intra EU routes.
Pay2Fly (P2F)
Imagine you are a newly graduated and motivated pilot. You just got your licence and you are desperately looking for your first job to obtain your type rating. However, you get denied by renowned airlines because of your lack of experience. What are your options? Pay to fly of course! What are the conditions? It is easy: you work as a regular pilot, together with a line-training pilot, on regular flights. However, instead of having your new employer invest in you and pay your training, you are the one who must pay! To sum up: you work, you don’t get paid, but you pay your employer amounts that can go up to 100 000 euro! In addition, you are not assured of getting a regular job in this airline once your type-rating obtained. Instead, you may be unemployed, with some experience, but already indebted before even getting a salary. Share ECA’s video to raise awareness around you, sign the petition against it and spread it as much as possible.
Zero-hour contract & Bogus self-employment
Other airlines play with the rules and manage to set up dubious systems that are at and over the edge of legality. They force pilots to accept “flexible” contracts. Pilots can therefore sign temporary contracts through work agencies. Another option is to create your own liability limited and work as self-employed; or accept a zero-hour contract: you don’t fly, you don’t get paid. These types of “contracts” basically mean: no paid annual leave, sick leave, nor maternity/paternity leave. If you know you won’t be paid if you call sick or fatigued, will you not feel pressured to fly anyway? Consequences on safety are obvious. And even if some countries ban these practices, in reality, enforcement of these laws is complicated.
New trends constantly arise. Sometimes they bring progress, sometimes they mean lower standards. In aviation, these past years, these new practices have been reducing working conditions and job opportunities, whilst increasing pressure on pilots, with potential negative impact on safety. This is why ECA has made of atypical forms of employment one of its priorities towards the EU institutions. In Belgium, BeCA will raise awareness about these practices and convince our government to fight at European level for a common legislation banning these systems. You can be part of the fight by educating your colleagues, family and friends!
For more information:
Flags of convenience:
Ghent University Study:
New business models:
- ECA’s position paper on new business and employment forms in aviation
Pay to Fly:
