Taiwanese carrier Eva Air has issued a formal apology after an employee requested leave documentation from a flight attendant who had already passed away. The 34-year-old employee, identified by her surname Sun, died on October 8 after becoming ill during a flight in late September.
The incident, which the airline has described as an "internal mistake," has intensified public discussion in Taiwan regarding the working conditions of airline staff. Both Eva Air and Taiwanese authorities have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Key Takeaways
- Eva Air sent a text message requesting leave paperwork to a 34-year-old flight attendant days after her death.
- The airline's president has personally apologized to the family, calling the message an "internal mistake."
- The employee, Ms. Sun, passed away on October 8 after falling ill on a flight from Milan to Taiwan on September 24.
- Her death has prompted an official investigation and widespread public debate over airline working conditions.
Details of the Administrative Error
The controversy began when Ms. Sun's family received a text message on her phone several days after her passing. The message, sent by an Eva Air representative, asked for documents to prove that Ms. Sun had officially applied for leave for the period she was hospitalized in late September.
According to reports, the representative requested a picture of the leave application forms. In response, the family sent a copy of Ms. Sun's death certificate to the airline.
The communication has been widely circulated online, leading to significant public criticism of the airline's administrative processes and its handling of the employee's situation.
Timeline of Events
- September 24: Ms. Sun reports feeling unwell during a flight from Milan, Italy, to Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
- Late September: She is hospitalized upon arrival in Taiwan.
- October 8: Ms. Sun passes away at the China Medical University Hospital in Taichung.
- Post-October 8: An Eva Air representative sends a text to her phone requesting leave paperwork.
Airline's Official Response
Eva Air addressed the issue at a press conference, where senior officials expressed deep regret over the incident. The airline's president, Sun Chia-Ming, confirmed that he had personally apologized to Ms. Sun's family for the error.
Officials stated that the text message was a "mistake by an internal employee" and did not reflect the company's official position or its respect for its staff.
"The departure of Ms. Sun is the pain in our hearts forever," President Sun Chia-Ming said. "We will carry out the investigation [into her death] with the most responsible attitude."
In a separate statement, Eva Air emphasized its commitment to employee welfare. "The health and safety of our employees and passengers are our highest priorities," the airline stated, adding that it was conducting a "thorough review" of the case and its internal procedures.
Investigation into Working Conditions
Ms. Sun's death has brought renewed attention to the working environment at the airline. Following the incident, anonymous social media posts, purportedly from her colleagues, alleged that she was encouraged to continue working despite feeling unwell.
These claims have fueled public anger and prompted official inquiries. Both Eva Air and Taiwanese labor authorities are now investigating whether Ms. Sun was discouraged from taking sick leave or denied adequate medical attention.
Workload and Regulations
According to Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA), an initial review of Ms. Sun's flight records from the past six months showed she flew an average of 75 hours per month. This amount is within the established regulatory limits for flight crew in Taiwan.
Ms. Sun, who joined Eva Air in 2016, was an experienced member of the cabin crew. The China Medical University Hospital in Taichung, where she was treated and passed away, has not yet publicly released an official cause of death, citing patient privacy.
Broader Context and Public Reaction
The incident has resonated deeply with the public in Taiwan, where discussions about overwork and corporate responsibility are common. The story of the posthumous paperwork request quickly became a major topic of discussion on local news and social media platforms.
Public records add another layer to the situation. According to CNA, Eva Air has been fined seven times since 2013. The majority of these penalties were related to violations concerning staff working overtime.
This history has led to increased scrutiny of the airline's labor practices in the wake of Ms. Sun's death. The ongoing investigation will likely examine not only the specifics of her case but also the broader culture and policies regarding employee health and sick leave at the company.
