He Labor Day It is a good reason to renew the conversation about labor rights. Especially in sectors such as aviation, where this discussion takes on an additional dimension, since working conditions not only impact the well-being of the professionals themselves, but directly impact the safety of millions of passengers.
In modern aviation, for example, fatigue is one of the most studied risks, and it is estimated that it is present in between 15% and 20% of air incidents and accidents, according to studies by organizations such as the FAA and the ICAO. There are systems such as FRMS, which regulate flight and rest times. But, in practice, effective rest does not always translate into real recovery. Factors such as operational load, flight scheduling or even responsibilities outside of work influence the quality of rest. And when rest is not adequate, in this case the impact is not individual, but operational.
Therefore, improving working conditions (such as adequate management of service time, sufficient rest and predictability in scheduling) is not only a benefit for the worker: it is an investment in safety. A well-rested pilot makes better decisions, reacts faster and operates with a greater margin of safety.
In this context, the role of unions has also evolved. Beyond collective bargaining, today they fulfill a key technical function: they participate in improving standards, managing risks, and building conditions that allow for more stable and predictable operations. This, in addition to reducing conflict, strengthens the sustainability of the business.
Added to this are additional challenges. Gender gaps in aviation, for example, show how biological and social factors (such as motherhood or the burden of care) can impact the quality of rest and, therefore, performance. At a global level, according to ALPAonly 5.5% of pilots are women, which reflects a gap in access and permanence in the industry. In line with what the International Labor Organization promotes, incorporating conditions that allow one to reconcile professional and personal life without compromising operational safety is not only a question of equity, but a necessary condition to build a safer, more inclusive and sustainable aviation.
Likewise, regulatory decisions such as the implementation of the transfer TUUA can generate chain effects. By affecting the competitiveness of the country as ‘hub’the flow of passengers, job creation and the stability of the entire aeronautical chain are impacted. In an interconnected sector, each measure has consequences that go beyond the immediate and immediate.
Talking about decent work in aviation is, in reality, talking about safety, efficiency and sustainability. When working conditions are right, not only those who operate the flights are protected, but also those who rely on them.
*El Comercio opens its pages to the exchange of ideas and reflections. In this plural framework, the Diario does not necessarily agree with the opinions of the columnists who sign them, although it always respects them.
