A Taiwanese airline has been embroiled in controversy after it requested paperwork from a deceased employee, prompting widespread anger and concern over labor practices.
The flight attendant, a 34-year-old identified as Ms. Sun, reportedly fell ill during a flight earlier this month and was subsequently hospitalized. She passed away on October 8, raising questions about the conditions under which she worked.
Eyewitness accounts from anonymous colleagues suggest that Ms. Sun may have been compelled to work while feeling unwell, intensifying public scrutiny and prompting investigations by both Taiwanese authorities and Eva Air.
Ms. Sun experienced illness during a flight from Milan to Taiwan on September 24 and was hospitalized shortly after. Despite an average flight duration that aligned with regulatory standards, the circumstances of her passing have led her family and advocates to scrutinize the company's safety and health protocols.
Days after her death, her family received a text message from an Eva Air representative asking for documentation verifying her application for sick leave during her hospitalization. They responded by sending a copy of Ms. Sun’s death certificate, highlighting the insensitivity of the request.
In a public statement, Eva Air executives expressed their condolences and described the request for documents as an unfortunate error by an internal employee. The company's president, Sun Chia-Ming, promised a thorough investigation into the incident and emphasized the need for improved employee care.
This incident is not an isolated one; since 2013, Eva Air has faced multiple fines related to staff overtime issues, painting a troubling picture of its labor practices.