All airlines should pay cabin crew double the daily wages for working on public holidays, including Labour Day, the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) said.

This would compensate staff who have no choice to work on these days, to adhere to safety requirements of the number of crew for each flight, Nufam president Ismail Nasaruddin.

"Many see the work of cabin crew as simple and glamorous but this field requires mental and physical stress, as well as high levels of patience.

"Cabin crew members sacrifice time with family when they have to work during public holidays, and many have been laid off because they had to prioritise family needs...

"Being paid double on public holidays will help ease the workers' burden and help them deal with rising cost of living," he said in a statement...