Jangan beban lagi anak kapal kabin, kata kesatuan

Nufam, the union representing cabin crew of the aviation company, has criticized Transport, Art and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing over plans to have cabin crew report earlier for drug testing, arguing it adds additional strain. Nufam claims that Tiong should be aware that cabin crew work under immense pressure, working late nights, long shifts, unpredictable schedules, sleep disruption, and variable flight schedules.

He asserts that any new requirement would add more pressure to every worker in the aviation industry, not just cabin crew. Imposing an additional two-hour drug test requirement on cabin crew before takeoff is simply not proportional, as it adds further mental stress before the flight. Fatigue also compromises alertness, concentration, response time, decision-making, and their ability to act effectively under pressure during a flight, according to the union's statement, emphasizing that fatigue is not just a worker welfare issue, but a safety concern.

Nufam also questions who will bear the cost of the additional two hours of work for the relevant cabin crew staff. Will the minister compel airlines and the government to pay higher salaries to cabin crew? Earlier, Tiong suggested airlines could set cabin crew to report an hour and a half to two hours earlier to avoid drug testing before being allowed to work.

He floated this suggestion in response to a drunken pilot arrest in Indonesia accused of smuggling 25kg of drugs. Cabin crew need adequate rest, President of Nufam Ismail Nasaruddin Abdul Wahab stated, Tiong should take into account every cabin crew, including pilots, must undergo pre-flight rest involving minimum rest period or flight time break.

This pre- and post-flight rest must be considered in all aspects of their safety and relevant to their flight operation schedule, reflecting their reporting duties before any release. He must know that this also complies with aviation regulations, he told FMT. He further stated that cabin crew would face the pressure of drug testing.

Depending on how they wish to manage hundreds of cabin crew at once, it could cause delays in many flights if we talk about pre-flight drug testing.