DoLE orders PAL not to retire senior flight attendants

MANILA, Philippines – Reaffirming its previous decision, the Department of Labor has ordered Philippine Airlines to stop retiring senior flight attendants who turned 55.

Ruling in favor of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP), Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz also directed PAL to reinstate the flight pursers who were retired while the labor case was being heard by the department.

PAL had sought to reverse the December ruling, which required PAL to raise flight attendants’ retirement age to 60, saying that retiring them at an earlier age had no justification in law and jurisprudence.

In deciding its motion for reconsideration, the labor department said the management of the airline failed to show new evidence that would justify the reversal of the previous decision.

“This decision is a milestone achievement for FASAP, which will benefit not just its female members, it will also uplift the image of flight attendants as dignified safety professionals,” said FASAP president Roberto Anduiza.