Decent working and employment conditions in the aviation sector

18.6.2021

Question for oral answer  O-000049/2021
to the Commission
Rule 136
Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová, Dennis Radtke, Alicia Homs Ginel, Sylvie Brunet, France Jamet, Mounir Satouri, Sandra Pereira
on behalf of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Over the past few years, there have been several changes in the aviation sector. Some of these have contributed to a diversification of the types of employment contracts for aircrew, such as pay-to-fly schemes, which, together with the proliferation of operational bases in different jurisdictions, could create risks of unfair competition.

Recently, eight Member States made a joint declaration focusing on the social and labour aspects of the aviation sector. Moreover, there have been many judicial actions, labour inspections, protests and strikes triggered by affected workers.

The COVID-19 pandemic is also affecting the EU aviation sector, with the loss of more than two thirds of traffic and many jobs, as carriers seek to maintain viability and reduce costs. Despite State aid schemes, most airlines are still struggling to return to pre-pandemic activity levels. With no improvement in sight, it is feared that this could lead to more job cuts and the further downgrading of terms and conditions. Against this backdrop, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs has the following questions:

• 1.Will the Commission advocate socially responsible and sustainable air connectivity in the EU by safeguarding and advancing social rights, further enhancing safety, ensuring fair competition and ensuring that companies receiving public financial support fully respect workers’ rights and labour laws?
• 2.Taking into account the evaluation of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, how will the Commission ensure that the applicable EU legislation is effectively enforced, and what legal measures are being considered to ensure a level playing field and legal certainty for aircrews, e.g. a requirement for airlines to know which labour law is applicable to aircrews?
• 3.When will the Commission propose a revision of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 in order to ensure decent working and employment conditions in the aviation sector?
• 4.When will the Commission publish the findings of the ad hoc group of Member State experts on aviation and labour law, and how will it remedy the lack of reliable data on the number of aircrew jobs, outsourced jobs and agency staff?

Submitted: 18.6.2021

Lapses: 19.9.2021