Brussels, 17/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - According to a study carried out by the University of Ghent (Belgium) and published by the European Cockpit Association (ECA), seven out of ten pilots working for low-cost airlines are self-employed.
These pilots are often working through a temporary work agency, as self-employed, or on a zero-hour contract with no minimum pay guaranteed. More pilots are flying for low-cost airlines and these casualised employees account for a sixth of all European pilots. “Casualised pilots are worrying about their working conditions and where to pay their taxes and social security. This puts crew under disproportionate strain”, explained Emmanuel Jahan, chair of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue for Civil Aviation.
The ECA also denounces the fact that self-employment is sometimes used to disguise what is in reality regular employment. This creates an unfair competitive advantage for those airlines that use it and severely distorts the aviation market. In addition to being used to avoid paying Social Security or taxes, this practice also raises concerns of safety in the industry.
The problem arises from the grey zones that exist in current legislation, as well as its inappropriate application. Consequently, Jahan is urging European decision-makers to take action to ensure the long-term stability of the European aviation industry. The European Commission is therefore expected to produce a strategic document on the competitiveness of the aviation sector, later this year. (Marie-Pauline Desset)