TAIPEI (TVBS News) — EVA Air (長榮航空) flight attendants protested Wednesday (Oct. 15) outside Taiwan's parliament, the Legislative Yuan (立法院), demanding improved leave policies following a colleague's death. Protesters held white flowers and signs reading "Annual leaves are not a crime" while chanting "Life is priceless."
The EVA Air union (長榮航空企業工會) and Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union (桃園市空服員職業工會) presented three demands: prohibiting penalties for sick leave, legal protection for 30-day annual leave usage, and guaranteed time off during annual leave or natural disasters. Flight attendant representative Li Yi-han (李亦涵) criticized EVA's stringent policies, explaining that unscheduled peak-time leave results in schedule disruptions affecting performance and bonuses.
Li Yi-han condemned the system forcing attendants to work while ill, citing chronic health issues including urethritis and vaginitis. EVA Air union convener Li Ying (李瀅) echoed demands for systemic change, urging the company to incentivize attendance rather than penalize leave-taking.
Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union Secretary-General Chou Sheng-kai (周聖凱) criticized EVA's leadership for maintaining silence five days after the incident. He announced an Oct. 21 meeting with the airline, demanding decision-making executives attend. Chou warned of presenting a petition at the Oct. 26 EVA Air marathon attended by Chairman Lin Pao-shui (林寶水) and General Manager Sun Chia-ming (孫嘉明). ◼
