Finland’s biggest airline has become embroiled in the political unrest rocking Hong Kong, distancing itself from anti-government demonstrators as the effects of Chinese pressure on foreign businesses spills outside the city.
“Hong Kong’s political situation is very unfortunate but has absolutely nothing to do with Finnair and/or OSM Aviation,” read the email to staff, written by Sami Sieva, OSM Aviation head of human resources for Southeast Asia. “The union and everyone should understand better and keep work and politics separate.”
Masked men armed with wooden sticks attack campaigner against parallel tradingIts concern came as pressure grew on companies in Hong Kong to show clear public support for the Hong Kong government and its leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. In the case of Finnair, OSM Aviation sent out a letter last week calling for its local employees’ union to remove the airline’s name from its own name.
The action appeared to have been prompted by a list circulating on Chinese social media of airline unions organising airport protests, which included the AY Hong Kong Cabin Crew Union.