JAL's forced night flight shifts reported to U.N. Human Rights Commission

International human rights activist Maeda Akira on March 31 spoke at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva to expose the extraordinary late night shifts imposed on flight attendants at Japan Airlines as an issue affecting economic and social rights.

Adverse changes JAL made in April 2003 in night flight shifts forced many cabin attendants to give up thier jobs due to the difficulties these shifts created in providing adequate child and nursing care.

Maeda criticized the Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry for recognizing the JAL action as legitimate.

He also pointed out that JAL and the HL&W Ministry are violating the International Convenants on Human Rights. (end)