Posted on 25 Nov 2009
S'porean steward fined $3,000, dismissed by airline -- and ends up in jail
A Singaporean flight steward working with Qatar Airways was apparently dismissed for no reason, ordered to pay the company a sum of money and denied outstanding pay. The clincher? He was thrown in jail when he sought help from the Singapore Embassy.
STOMPer Eden describes the situation:
"I used to work for Qatar Airways as a flight steward for 8 months, since Mar 2009.
"In Sep 2009 I returned from a flight to Zurich, and was told I was to be terminated by a cabin manager named Saliyah along with four others - a Korean girl, a British girl, a German guy and a Serbian guy.
"We were told that we had to pay Qatar Airways a sum of 8000 Qatar Riyals (about S$3000) for no apparent reason. In our employment contract it is stated that if the company were to terminate our service they should be paying us one month's pay as well as giving us two week's notice, together with an explanation letter.
"I told him I would go to the Singapore Embassy, and for that I was put in Qatar Doha Prison for a period of 13 days. While I was in prison I managed to contact the Singapore Embassy whose staff managed to help me return to Singapore safely.
"Once I was back in Singapore I sought legal aid but was told that according my employment contract, any claims against Qatar Airways would have to be made through Qatar's court
"I did manage to contact the Regional Manager of Qatar Airways' Asia branch. She says they are investigating my case at the moment.
"Three things I am really upset about from this case: The fact I was improperly dismissed, owed 2 months of my salary, as well my having to spend time in jail in Qatar.
"I feel all Singaporeans should reconsider working in Middle Eastern countries in future."
Keywords: Qatar Airways , jail
S'porean steward fined $3,000, dismissed by airline -- and ends up in jail
A Singaporean flight steward working with Qatar Airways was apparently dismissed for no reason, ordered to pay the company a sum of money and denied outstanding pay. The clincher? He was thrown in jail when he sought help from the Singapore Embassy.
STOMPer Eden describes the situation:
"I used to work for Qatar Airways as a flight steward for 8 months, since Mar 2009.
"In Sep 2009 I returned from a flight to Zurich, and was told I was to be terminated by a cabin manager named Saliyah along with four others - a Korean girl, a British girl, a German guy and a Serbian guy.
"We were told that we had to pay Qatar Airways a sum of 8000 Qatar Riyals (about S$3000) for no apparent reason. In our employment contract it is stated that if the company were to terminate our service they should be paying us one month's pay as well as giving us two week's notice, together with an explanation letter.
"I told him I would go to the Singapore Embassy, and for that I was put in Qatar Doha Prison for a period of 13 days. While I was in prison I managed to contact the Singapore Embassy whose staff managed to help me return to Singapore safely.
"Once I was back in Singapore I sought legal aid but was told that according my employment contract, any claims against Qatar Airways would have to be made through Qatar's court
"I did manage to contact the Regional Manager of Qatar Airways' Asia branch. She says they are investigating my case at the moment.
"Three things I am really upset about from this case: The fact I was improperly dismissed, owed 2 months of my salary, as well my having to spend time in jail in Qatar.
"I feel all Singaporeans should reconsider working in Middle Eastern countries in future."
Keywords: Qatar Airways , jail
