The National Human Rights Commission noted on the 19th that the Air Force did not accept the recommendation to pay allowances to night shift workers. The Air Force did not submit an action plan to the commission, citing the need for legislative amendments and consultations with relevant ministries.
The commission investigated eight units, including remote Air Force bases and night shift duty units, from August to November last year. Following that, in January this year, it recommended five items to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force: ▲ improve aged barracks ▲ consider granting physical training time during working hours to soldiers on shift duty ▲ improve the allowance system for night duty allowances, overtime allowances, and aviation allowances ▲ enhance the thoroughness of night special examinations ▲ strengthen promotion of rights relief measures.
The Air Force Headquarters accepted four of these items, excluding those related to allowances. Additionally, regarding allowances, it stated it would implement the recommendations to improve the overtime and aviation allowance systems. However, it did not accept the recommendation to pay night duty allowances.
Air Force officers on standby duty recognized overtime hours up to 100 hours and received allowances. They perform tasks that directly involve handling aircraft and weapon systems. In contrast, other officers, who perform duties such as managing aircraft and surveillance equipment, were recognized for only 57 hours of overtime and did not receive allowances beyond that. The commission stated, "It cannot be said that these individuals are performing duties of sufficiently lower importance to warrant a significant salary difference."
The aviation allowance is provided to air traffic controllers conducting maintenance control flight training. However, while an air traffic control officer received the aviation allowance, the sergeant and non-commissioned officer performing the mission alongside them did not receive any allowance. The commission deemed this as "discriminatory treatment based on status without reasonable justification."