Union Reactions to EasyJet's Employment Practices
In a recent development that has sparked significant controversy, the British airline EasyJet's decision to employ pilots in Morocco under "freelance contracts" has drawn widespread criticism from labor unions in France. Accusations have emerged regarding the exploitation of this arrangement to enhance profit margins while disregarding the working conditions of pilots. According to the French newspaper La Tribune, the National Union of French Airline Pilots (SNPL) highlighted that EasyJet's hiring practices in Morocco place social and financial risks squarely on the pilots, while the airline maintains operational control. This strategy appears to be a deliberate attempt to minimize costs, thereby maximizing profitability.
Moreover, this approach is said to potentially jeopardize the social standing of pilots by promoting a phenomenon referred to as social dumping. The report reveals that pilots in Morocco are employed by a handling company named Storm Aviation, based in Ireland, which subsequently assigns them to work for EasyJet. This arrangement is reportedly unique within EasyJet's global operations, raising concerns about fairness and equity among pilots based in different countries.
EasyJet's Expansion in Morocco
EasyJet had previously announced the establishment of its new base in Morocco in October 2025, which connects Marrakech to various European cities through approximately 30 flight routes. The base commenced operations in April and is supported by three aircraft, providing around 100 job opportunities, including about 60 pilot positions. However, the union claims that these pilots were offered freelance contracts instead of traditional employment contracts that are standard in other countries where the airline operates.
In response to inquiries from the French newspaper, EasyJet did not confirm or deny the specifics of the contracts offered to its Moroccan pilots, nor did it provide detailed information regarding the employment conditions of these pilots. The airline stated that no pilots stationed in Marrakech were hired directly; rather, the pilots currently operating flights from Marrakech are seconded from other EasyJet bases. Furthermore, EasyJet emphasized that utilizing a specialized agency for crew recruitment is a well-established model in Morocco, also practiced by other airlines in the region.
This move by EasyJet marks a significant expansion for the airline, as it had previously declared the opening of its first operational base in Africa located in Marrakech, which began its operations in April. The company aims to offer four million seats in the first year of this base's operation, contributing to the creation of approximately 100 direct jobs and thousands of indirect employment opportunities. EasyJet has also launched four new routes from Marrakech: Hamburg, Lille, Strasbourg, and Geneva to Tangier. The CEO of EasyJet, Kenton Jarvis, emphasized that Morocco represents a key market for the airline, being the fastest-growing market outside of Europe. He added that the Marrakech base will facilitate increased air connectivity between Morocco and a wider array of European destinations.
As reported by hespress.com.
