Imagine receiving a text message demanding paperwork from someone who has tragically passed away. This is the shocking reality faced by the family of a Taiwanese flight attendant, sparking outrage and raising serious questions about workplace practices. In a bizarre and deeply insensitive move, Eva Air, a prominent Taiwanese airline, found itself at the center of a controversy after it sent a message to a deceased employee, Ms. Sun, requesting proof of her sick leave. But here's where it gets even more unsettling: this incident has ignited a firestorm of speculation about overwork and potential neglect within the airline industry.
Ms. Sun, a 34-year-old flight attendant, passed away earlier this month after reportedly falling ill during a flight from Milan to Taoyuan City, Taiwan. Her death has become a rallying cry for those concerned about the treatment of airline staff, with many online expressing fury over the circumstances surrounding her final days. And this is the part most people miss: despite her passing, Eva Air inexplicably reached out to her via text, asking for documentation to confirm her sick leave during her hospitalization. Her family, understandably distraught, responded by sending a copy of her death certificate.
In a statement to the BBC, Eva Air expressed profound sorrow over Ms. Sun’s death, emphasizing that they had maintained contact with her family during her hospitalization. The airline asserted, 'The health and safety of our employees and passengers are our highest priorities,' and pledged to conduct a thorough review of the incident. However, this hasn’t quelled the public’s anger, especially as anonymous social media users, claiming to be her colleagues, have alleged that Ms. Sun was pressured to work even when she felt unwell. Is this a case of systemic overwork, or an isolated incident?
Adding to the complexity, flight records from the past six months reveal that Ms. Sun averaged 75 flying hours per month, which falls within regulatory limits. Yet, her family and the public remain skeptical, questioning whether she was denied proper medical care or discouraged from taking necessary leave. Taiwanese authorities, alongside Eva Air, are now investigating these claims. The China Medical University Hospital in Taichung, where Ms. Sun passed away, has not yet disclosed the official cause of her death, leaving many unanswered questions.
Eva Air officials have since labeled the text message a 'mistake by an internal employee' and have personally apologized to Ms. Sun’s family. 'The departure of Ms. Sun is the pain in our hearts forever,' said Eva Air President Sun Chia-Ming, vowing to approach the investigation with the utmost responsibility. Despite this, the airline’s history of fines—seven since 2013, mostly for overtime violations—casts a shadow over their commitment to employee welfare. Does this pattern suggest a deeper issue within the company’s culture?
This tragic case forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about workplace ethics and the treatment of employees in high-pressure industries. What do you think? Is this an unfortunate error, or a symptom of a larger problem? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s continue this important conversation.
