The Standard
Local pilots fly off the handle at expat perks
Staff Reporter
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Cathay Pacific's local pilots are to boycott the Lunar New Year parade and other promotional activities by the airline in protest at what they claim is "unequal treatment."
Housing allowances for pilots are exclusive to expatriates regardless of whether they are Hong Kong permanent residents or not.
According to The Standard's sister newspaper Singtao Daily, housing allowances account for around 40 percent of the total income of expatriate pilots.
This means that while an expatriate can earn up to HK$110,000 a month, their local colleagues only get around HK$60,000.
Education subsidies are another area of complaint. This benefit is offered to all expatriates, but only to senior local pilots.
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According to a source, who asked not to be named, the request by 300 local pilots for equal treatment has fallen on deaf ears.
"Cathay Pacific Airways keeps claiming Hong Kong is its home, but the claim is not in line with its employment policy," the source said.
The decision to boycott Sunday's Lunar New Year parade is backed by the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association, which represents locals and expatriates.
Cathay Pacific Airways has around 2,400 pilots, of whom 12 percent are local Chinese. The union represents around 70 percent of all pilots hired by the airline.
The group has also sought help from three legislators to determine whether the airline is in breach of racial discrimination laws or regulations.
It is also threatening to take the case to the Equal Opportunities Commission.
Cathay expressed disappointment at the boycott. The airline also rebutted allegations of racial discrimination, saying the company treats its employees equally regardless of nationality or race.
It said the offer of some fringe benefits was intended to attract pilots from overseas to fill vacancies which could not be filled by the local labor market.
"It would be unfair for local pilots to ask for the same housing allowances as those hired from overseas," an airline spokesperson said.
Local pilots fly off the handle at expat perks - The Standard