Garuda Indonesia Scraps Policy of Overworking Its Cabin Crew

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The management of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia reportedly revoked the policy that allegedly forced cabin crew to work extra hours on non-stop long-haul flights.

The notification circulated in Garuda's cabin crew messaging group on Tuesday, December 10, which was sent by the airline's senior manager flight assignment at the order of the Board of Director (BOD) for all station managers, senior manager of JKTOGC unit, and station manager of JKTCCR unit.

Tempo received the forwarded message from an internal source. The letter noted that the management ensured the rotation of cabin crew as a result of an audit carried out by the Transportation Ministry's Director of Airworthiness and Operations.

"Regarding the audit results and the orders to adjust the cabin crew schedule for several flight routes previously on the scheme of vv (return flight) will be changed into RON (remain overnight) at the station, here we submit the flight routes affected," as quoted from the letter.

The flight routes affected by the adjustment are Bali-Narita-Bali, Jakarta-Nagoya-Jakarta, Jakarta-Melbourne-Jakarta. Then, Denpasar-Melbourne-Denpasar, Jakarta-Sydney-Jakarta, Denpasar-Sydney-Denpasar, Denpasar-Kansai-Denpasar, Denpasar-Beijing-Denpasar, Jakarta-Shanghai-Jakarta, Denpasar-Shanghai-Jakarta, Denpasar-Xianyang-Denpasar, and Jakarta-Hong Kong-Jakarta.

Tempo has tried to ask for confirmation to the Garuda Acting President Director Fuad Rizal. Yet no response is sent yet.

Meanwhile, Garuda Indonesia Cabin Crew Union (Ikagi) head Zaenal Muttaqin confirmed the circular. "[However,] the implementation has not been done thoroughly," Zaenal said.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA