On Friday 1 March, the European Commission published a report identifying certain social problems in the aviation sector, particularly those relating to flight crews, and considering certain actions to try to solve these problems.
"The European Parliament, Member States, the aviation industry and social partners have called on the Commission to tackle the challenges aircrews in Europe face today", said Violeta Bulc, Commissioner for Transport Policy. He added: "Today I am glad that we are delivering on this by putting forward a report that identifies concrete actions to maintain and promote high social standards in the aviation sector."
In this document, the European Commission, which also mentions that the application of social protection and labour law rules falls largely within the competence of the Member States, acknowledges that certain practices, highlighted by trade unions for several years (see EUROPE 12074, 11836), are problematic.
These include the work of aircrew under temporary contracts, self-contractors and falsely self-employed workers. Similarly, the institution identifies difficulties in the application of the provisions on posted work and social provisions, both at EU and Member State level.
Thus, legal uncertainties sometimes arise as to the applicable law and the competent courts in the event of a dispute.
In an attempt to address these problems, the Commission will in particular set up an ad hoc group of experts to identify solutions to enforce social provisions, explore ways to put an end to undeclared work or organise a high-level workshop on the progress made on the social agenda for on-board staff since 2015, the year in which an aviation strategy was launched (see EUROPE 11448, 11447).
Reactions. On the civil society side, there is a relative satisfaction with this report.
The European Cockpit Association (ECA) believes that the establishment of an expert group "is potentially a very good approach to all the problems we face in our sector". "This ‘Social Agenda’ report does not go far enough on [atypical precarious work], and many of the proposed actions can only be considered as a very initial first step", the organisation adds.
The European Cabin Crew Association (ECCA), also welcomes the report, but fears that it may not be sufficient for "tackling the real problems of atypical employment".
For the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF), this report "is far too vague and is akin to administering homeopathic medicine where there is a requirement for surgery". (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)