TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The EVA Air Marathon in Taipei on Sunday drew protesting flight attendants, who reiterated three demands following the death of a colleague who fell ill on an Oct. 10 long-haul flight.
About 30 to 40 members of the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union (TFAU) called on EVA Air to stop counting sick leave in annual evaluations, protect employees’ right to take time off during natural disasters, and ensure fairness in assigning preferred routes and leave days, per CNA.
Union representatives said the airline’s current evaluation system penalizes cabin crew through a point system for taking sick leave, which can cost them eligibility for preferred routes or time-off requests.
EVA Air said it would revise its evaluation system by the end of the year.
During Sunday’s event, the union presented 3,000 white roses to runners to honor the deceased flight attendant. After the start, several members briefly entered the course and approached the stage to display their demands before being stopped by police.
Lin Yu-chia (林昱嘉), a TFAU director and EVA Air flight attendant, said that after the incident, many colleagues expressed fear about taking sick leave and shared their experiences on social media. “Many members of the public expressed support, reassuring us that taking leave should not be seen as a crime,” Lin said.
TFAU Chair Zhang Shu-yuan (張書元) said flight attendants working while ill endanger both themselves and passengers. “The fear of taking leave is not about personal responsibility but a systemic issue,” Zhang said. “Life is priceless; sick leave is not a crime.”
TFAU Secretary-General Chou Seng-kai (周聖凱) cited a Ministry of Labor press release stating that airlines had agreed not to deduct points for sick leave in evaluations. However, he said this created a false impression that reforms had already been implemented. The union said it plans to protest at the ministry to demand concrete action.
EVA Air released an investigation report citing inadequate response and reporting by the chief purser. The airline said it would consider removing the crew-assignment mechanism, increasing allowances for crew, and adjusting evaluations by year’s end.
EVA Air said it is “heartbroken” over the flight attendant’s death and is conducting a full internal review to clarify circumstances, assign responsibility, and determine what improvements can be made.
