MSGID: 2:292/854 02304156   
   Many Cathay Pacific employees are afraid to work on flights to mainland China,   
   the BBC reports based on confidential conversations. They fear being arrested   
   for their support for the Hong Kong protests.   
       
   Some cabin crew members and pilots who are scheduled on these flights do not,   
   therefore, consider taking their actual telephone with them in case it is   
   searched. They also change their social media from statements that can be   
   viewed negatively by the Chinese regime and do not talk about politics during   
   working hours.   
       
   In addition to a possible arrest, the employees fear for their own job. Cathay   
   Pacific recently succumbed to the heavy Chinese pressure and fired some pilots   
   and ground workers for participating in "illegal" protests against China's   
   growing influence in Hong Kong. Since then, according to the staff, a fear   
   culture has prevailed within the company.   
       
   Background   
       
   Initially, Cathay Pacific did not want to take sides in the conflict between   
   the protesters and the Chinese regime. According to the management, the   
   political preference of employees was a private matter and participation in   
   the protests in Hong Kong that have been going on for months now was not a   
   reason for dismissal.   
       
   China was furious about this and therefore prohibited the company from using   
   demonstrators for flights to mainland China any longer (the part of the   
   country that falls directly under the communist regime). The personnel lists   
   for flights to or across China were also to be shared with the authorities   
   from now on.   
       
   If Cathay did not cooperate, the airline would be banned from flying.   
   According to unconfirmed reports from Asian media, chief executive Rupert Hogg   
   was not impressed and submitted a list to the Chinese authorities with only   
   his own name on it. Shortly thereafter he was forced to resign.   
      
   --- D'Bridge 3.99   
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