MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Pia Cayetano welcomed the decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to move the compulsory retirement age for flight attendants to 60 from 40.
Cayetano lauded Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz for resolving the three-month-old case involving the Flight Attendants and Stewardesses Association of the Philippines (FASAP) and the Philippine Airlines (PAL) management.
According to Cayetano, chair of the Senate Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations, it was only right that the DOLE supported the flight attendants’ campaign to rectify gender-biased labor policies at the country’s flag carrier.
“I laud the DOLE ruling favoring the FASAP in their demand to end gender discrimination and push for gender-sensitive benefits, including pregnancy and maternity leave benefits,” Cayetano said.
“The ruling is just and reasonable. Even though it is a belated acknowledgment of gender rights, it is still a welcome Christmas gift, especially for the women flight attendants who for years have had to endure discrimination at the country’s flag carrier,” she added.
Cayetano, who was one of the proponents of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, said that the ruling is a significant development in the “long and rich struggle of women for equal rights and opportunities.”
In the ruling handed down by Baldoz, the compulsory retirement age for both male and female FASAP members was set at 60 years old.
It also addressed the disputes between management and the FASAP regarding maternity and pregnancy leave benefits, wage increases and other economic issues.
During the course of the dispute, FASAP members threatened to go on strike and cripple operations of the country’s flag carrier.
“I am hopeful that the management would seriously consider acceding to the DOLE decision to bring an end to this segment of brewing labor disputes at PAL,” Cayetano said.