Pilot Union Federation: "Lee Sang-jik Must Apologize to the Public and Donate Personal Assets... Ruling Party Should Also Provide Support Measures"

"Eastar Jet, Must Withdraw Layoffs and File for Corporate Rehabilitation Proceedings"

As Eastar Jet notified 605 employees of layoffs, raising concerns about mass unemployment in the aviation industry, officials are entering the temporary shareholders' meeting held on the 9th at Eastar Jet headquarters in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] National airline pilots' labor unions issued a joint statement on the 22nd, urging Lee Sang-jik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and the actual owner of Eastar Jet, to apologize to the public and calling for government and ruling party measures.

The Korea Federation of Pilots' Unions held a press conference at the National Assembly that morning, stating, "We strongly urge Representative Lee, the government, and the ruling party to make a decisive and full commitment." The federation includes pilot unions from national airlines such as Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Air Busan, Eastar Jet, and Jin Air.

The federation first addressed Eastar Jet's recent notification of layoffs to about 600 employees, saying, "While employee dismissal is a last resort in corporate rehabilitation procedures, the Eastar Jet situation is incomprehensible from a common-sense perspective." They added, "If Eastar Jet's management has committed no accounting fraud, they should confidently apply for corporate rehabilitation procedures, withdraw the layoff notices, and make efforts to maintain employment."

Furthermore, the federation stated, "While all airlines receive employment retention subsidies from the government, only Eastar Jet has failed to pay 500 million won in employment insurance premiums and thus has not received support." They urged, "Even now, after filing for court receivership, Eastar Jet should pay the employment insurance premiums and work with the ruling party and the Ministry of Employment and Labor to ensure that about 1,100 people, including those laid off, receive these benefits."

Regarding Representative Lee, the federation said, "Although late, he should make a public apology through decisive action and, as a lawmaker and founder, prepare responsible measures to rescue employees." They emphasized, "He should contribute personal funds and work in various ways with the government and ruling party to help Eastar Jet recover."

Addressing the government and ruling party, they added, "Eastar Jet employees who are struggling day by day need active support measures to maintain a minimum standard of living and hold onto hope." They concluded, "Priority should be given to executing government financial support, from which only Eastar Jet has been excluded, to resolve employment insurance premiums and unpaid wages."