TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's aviation chief ordered EVA Air (長榮航空) to overhaul emergency protocols Wednesday (Oct. 15) following a flight attendant's death after working while reportedly ill. Civil Aviation Administration (民用航空局) Director Shu-Ping Ho (何淑萍) demanded comprehensive reforms of leave policies and safety procedures. The directive comes after Saturday's tragic passing sparked nationwide outrage over airline workplace conditions and employee welfare.
Aviation regulators rejected EVA Air's initial incident report as inadequate, prompting deeper investigation into airline safety practices. The Legislative Yuan's (立法院) Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee (社會福利及衛生環境委員會) summoned multiple government agencies to address aviation worker health protections. Parliamentary oversight reflects growing political pressure for systemic reforms across Taiwan's airline industry following the tragic incident.
Labor investigators confirmed EVA Air meets basic workplace standards for hours and scheduling, according to Taoyuan's Labor Inspection Office (勞動檢查處). The probe uncovered systemic issues where certain leave types negatively affect employee performance reviews, potentially pressuring sick workers to continue duties. Investigators discovered critical communication breakdowns, including the purser's failure to notify the flight captain about the attendant's deteriorating condition.
The aviation director demanded sweeping operational reforms targeting both emergency procedures and leave policy flexibility. Ho acknowledged widespread employee complaints about rigid absence policies that discourage workers from taking necessary sick time. Taiwan's aviation authority expects EVA Air's comprehensive response addressing systemic workplace issues that may compromise both employee welfare and flight safety. ◼
