Coronavirus: Cathay Pacific gets discrimination warning after firing unvaccinated aircrew; city confirms 1 imported case
- Head of city’s Equal Opportunities Commission says axed aircrew can file complaint with watchdog if they feel they have been treated differently
- One flight attendant says she was axed despite providing carrier with evidence of heart ‘issues’ that raised concerns over her getting jab
On Monday, Ricky Chu Man-kin, chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), said differences in the way the airline’s staff were treated could be regulated under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance depending on each case, adding some of those dismissed had already contacted the independent statutory body.
“If certain staff members feel they were treated differently or were being discriminated against – such as being let go – because they could not get jabbed and meet the company’s requirements, they can file an inquiry or complaint to us,” Chu told a radio show.
He said health-related concerns could be a valid explanation for not getting jabbed, adding that mediation, as well as legal action, could be possible if staff were deemed to have a valid case.
The city confirmed one imported Covid-19 case on Monday – a 26-year-old arriving from Qatar who had received both doses of the BioNTech vaccine in May. Medical experts have said that while vaccines do not offer total protection against infection, they vastly reduce the severity of the illness and likelihood of death.
