ITF report finds violence and harassment against aviation workers commonplace and sets out clear recommendations for industry and regulators to make workplaces safer.
The report ‘Make Work Safe: Eliminating Violence and Harassment Against Aviation Workers’, commissioned by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), found that 70% of aviation workers regularly experience verbal abuse at work.
A further 64% have reported aggressive behaviour, 63% have been threatened and 23% have been sexually harassed. Other behaviours, reported less frequently, included wounding, kicking, biting, punching, and spitting.
The report included in-depth interviews, case studies and a survey of aviation trade unionists from 32 countries. It covers three key aspects which need improvement; the response to unruly passengers, safer commutes for workers and access to decent water and sanitation.
Violence and harassment has been a long- term problem in the industry. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, aviation unions have reported a steady increase in the frequency and severity of unruly passenger incidents which often go unpunished.
Long commutes during unsociable hours, without access to public transport, can also be incredibly dangerous. Many workers, especially women, young workers, disabled people, LGBT+, those who face race discrimination and migrant workers, are increasingly worried about their safety travelling to and from work at night and in the early morning. Some respondents even recalled cases of being stalked after leaving work.
Although aviation employers are taking steps to mitigate abuse and harassment, there are concerning gaps – especially when it comes to reporting incidents and consequences for offenders. Shockingly, fewer than one quarter (23.7%) of respondents reported that third-party violence was responded to consistently, when it came to consequences for passengers.
A quarter of respondents reported sanitation conditions that were either insufficient or in some cases, unsafe. For some, there was no provision for workers at all, and they were forced to use passenger facilities.
In some cases, aviation workers have been forced to work long hours with no breaks and have soiled themselves, or have experienced urinary tract infections because of lack of access to toilets.
Sara Nelson, International President of the AFA-CWA and Chair of the ITF’s Civil Aviation Section said: “Aviation workers keep millions of passengers safe and secure traveling around the world every day. But we can’t do our work when our workplace undermines our safety. Regulators, airlines, and airports must work urgently to ensure basic sanitation, a violence free workplace enforced, and the proper staffing to do our jobs. The epidemic of violence and mistreatment of aviation workers must stop.”
The report offers multiple solutions to tackling violent and abusive third-party behaviour towards aviation workers. Most importantly, employers need to work with unions and make sure the issue is prioritised, responded to consistently and enshrined in policies, training and procedures.
Following the report’s findings, the ITF is urging countries to immediately ratify and implement the International Labor Organization’s violence and harassment convention (C190), which mandates laws and measures to protect workers and prevent violent or abusive behaviour in the workplace.
Of the 187 state members of the ILO, only 24% (45) have ratified C190, and only 18.7% have implemented its legislative and procedural measures to protect workers.
Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary said: “Aviation workers have the right to be safe in their world of work. It is shocking that almost three quarters of the workforce have experienced some form of abuse. Although some progress has been made, this report highlights there are critical gaps in tackling violence and harassment in the workplace. It seems that unruly passengers are given the greenlight to behave however they want – with impunity.
“The ITF calls on industry and governments to prioritise this issue. We are ready to work with employers and governments to ensure the aviation industry is a safe space for workers and passengers.
“Violence and harassment in the workplace is not only an unethical injustice, but it’s insidious and pervasive and threatens the safety, dignity, and rights of workers everywhere.”
