Report: MAKE WORK SAFE: Eliminating Violence and Harassment Against Aviation Workers
Introduction
A safe and respectful work environment is essential to the well-being and performance of all workers. However, aviation workers globally face deteriorating working conditions marked by third-party violence, unsafe commutes, and limited access to sanitation facilities. A 2022 survey of over 3,700 aviation workers by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) found that 90% reported worsening conditions. These issues have been exacerbated since the COVID-19 pandemic, with data from major aviation authorities highlighting increasing incidents of unruly passengers.
This report aims to document best practices that unions and aviation organizations can use to address these challenges, especially within the framework of ILO Convention 190 (C190) on violence and harassment in the world of work.
Purpose of the Program / Objectives
The objective of this program was to document and analyze best practices in mitigating third-party violence, ensuring safe commutes, and improving sanitation facilities for aviation workers. The goals included:
- Understanding how unions and workplaces are responding to violence and harassment from non-employees.
- Identifying solutions to the unsafe and often costly commutes faced by aviation staff.
- Evaluating access to gender-responsive and adequate sanitation facilities.
- Sharing findings and strategies with global ITF affiliates to promote collective bargaining and improved safety.
Intended Audience
- Trade unions representing aviation workers.
- Policy makers and regulators in the civil aviation sector.
- Airline and airport management and employers.
- Occupational health and safety experts.
- Researchers and advocates working on labor rights, workplace safety, and gender equality.
Description / How It Was Implemented
The research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach including:
- A global survey sent through ITF to union representatives of civil aviation workers in May 2024.
- 221 survey responses from 32 countries.
- Eight formal interviews and multiple informal discussions with union members from a range of aviation roles including cabin crew, security personnel, and customer service.
Three major focus areas were explored:
1. Third-party violence
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- Common incidents: shouting, swearing, aggressive gestures, and sexual innuendo from passengers.
- 95% of companies had adopted at least one mitigation measure, including warning signs, flight bans, emergency protocols, and protective screens.
- Example: Bologna Airport introduced a coordinated response system, regular reviews, and awareness campaigns with law enforcement collaboration.
2. Safe Commute
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- Long, unsafe, and costly commutes were identified, particularly problematic for women.
- Only 31.7% of workers had employer-supported commuting.
- Best practice: Schiphol Airport (Netherlands) and DSS Airport (Senegal) implemented comprehensive transport support, including travel allowances, buses, and free parking.
3. Safe Sanitation Access
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- While 75% of respondents reported access to safe sanitation, significant challenges remained for women and front-line workers.
- Issues: lack of gender-specific toilets, inadequate breaks, and shared facilities with passengers.
- Highlight: Bangkok and Calgary airports faced protests and union pressure due to sanitation-related human rights violations.
Impacts / Outcomes
- Over half of respondents reported collective agreements now include clauses on violence and harassment.
- Best practices identified include:
- Centralized emergency contacts.
- Staff training on de-escalation and customer conflict.
- Collaboration among unions, employers, and authorities.
- Data collection and reporting were shown to empower workers to speak up and hold employers accountable.
- Implementation of transportation agreements improved punctuality and morale at airports like DSS and Schiphol.
Key Metrics:
- 95% of companies had some mitigation for third-party violence.
- 87.2% had some provision for sanitation access.
- Only 23.7% believed there were consistent consequences for perpetrators.
- Over 40% of respondents reported some safety risk during commute.
Lessons Learned
What worked well:
- Social dialogue and union action, including strikes, prompted institutional responses (e.g., Bologna).
- Clear emergency protocols and data reporting systems increased worker safety and trust.
- Commuting support such as buses or full cost reimbursement had tangible benefits.
Challenges and Areas for Improvement:
- Reporting mechanisms for third-party violence are often difficult to navigate, with only 15% finding them easy.
- Consequences for violent passengers are inconsistently applied and often fail to deter future incidents.
- Sanitation access is especially difficult in male-dominated airport areas and during emergencies or delays.
- Uniform policies and inadequate infrastructure (e.g., parking) continue to make women more vulnerable.
Organization Name
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
Authors and Contributors
Anushka Khanna
Katreena Scott
Barb MacQuarrie
Produced by:
Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children, Western University
Commissioned by: ITF
Date: November 2024
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