Bombshell claims emerge after Virgin Australia staff member was allegedly raped in Fiji after New Year’s Eve celebration

Allegations have emerged that Virgin Australia was aware of the dangers faced by its airline crew ahead of the alleged rape of a 21-year-old worker in Fiji.

An investigation by the Daily Telegraph revealed that several Virgin employees had raised complaints about the safety of overnight accommodation in the lead-up to the alleged attack on New Year’s Day.

The outlet claimed that staff’s drinks had been spiked during a stay in Bali and that a crew member had suffocated near her accommodation in Perth.

Other concerns included perceived unsafe work expectations, high demands on new recruits and repeated hiring of young workers.

Virgin Australia said the safety of its staff is a top priority and all incidents have been investigated.

Internal sources claimed that working conditions at the airline began to deteriorate when it was bought by private investment company Bain Capital.

The company went into voluntary administration during the pandemic and cut costs across its operations, including laying off 3,000 experienced employees in 2020.

Virgin Australia had a staggering $5 billion in debt prior to the Covid lockdowns and was trying to improve its financial situation under its new CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka.

Several Virgin employees are said to have raised complaints about the safety of overnight accommodation in the lead-up to the alleged rape of a flight attendant (stock image)

Once the carrier began hiring again, it offered a starting wage of $45,526, which was criticized as too low for workers with dependents or a mortgage.

The result was a young workforce with many new employees in their teens or early twenties. Many still lived at home.

Steven Reed, industrial relations manager for the Flight Attendants Association of Australia, explained the dangers of young flight crew on international flights – which was previously limited to people over the age of 21.

“What does strike us is the lack of life skills that comes with recruiting 18-year-olds, especially when you send them to hotels overseas and they may have never been to Australia before,” he said.

“They don’t have the necessary life skills to be on the lookout for certain things.”

The latest allegations come just weeks after a 21-year-old Virgin flight attendant was allegedly raped in Fiji by 24-year-old farmer Ilaisa Tanoa Degei.

It is alleged that Degei posed as an unregistered taxi driver, known locally as the Pari, and offered to take the young woman to her accommodation at the Tanoa International Hotel.

She had celebrated New Year’s Eve with other Virgin crew members at Bar One, in Nadi, but tried to leave after one of her colleagues was allegedly robbed.

Fijian farmer Ilaisa Tanoa Degei (pictured) allegedly raped a 21-year-old Virgin Australia flight attendant on New Year's Day

Fijian farmer Ilaisa Tanoa Degei (pictured) allegedly raped a 21-year-old Virgin Australia flight attendant on New Year’s Day

Mr Degei is said to have raped the flight attendant at around 1am on January 1. He was charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of rape.

Virgin staff have since raised safety concerns at the Tanoa International Hotel, which was approved by the Flight Attendant’s Association of Australia.

The staff complained about the location of the hotel and the lack of amenities nearby.

The hotel, which has a long-term contract with Virgin, is protected by guards and security gates.

However, it is claimed that the property only started taking action after the alleged rape.

Qantas and Jetstar staff do not stay at the Tanoa International Hotel.

Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine said it was vital that Virgin prioritized the safety of its crews.

“Virgin and owners Bain Capital should consult closely with cabin crew on areas of concern and take all necessary steps to prevent serious incidents like this in the future,” he said.

The Telegraph also addressed other alleged incidents involving Virgin Australia staff.

Crew members are believed to have been infected while staying at the Holiday Inn Resort Baruna in Kuta, a popular tourist destination south of Denpasar.

Another worker is said to have suffocated near the Mercure Hotel in Perth’s CBD, opposite the Perth Magistrates Court.

The hotel was previously denied accommodation for Qantas after the FAAA determined it did not meet the standards set out in the enterprise bargaining agreement.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson confirmed that staff are undergoing safety training for both domestic and international flights.

It also increased the starting wage for employees to $55,974, allowing them to claim paid daily overtime.

“Safety remains our top priority and we are taking a thorough and proactive approach to ensuring the well-being of our crew when they travel for work, both domestically and internationally,” the spokesperson said.

“All reported safety incidents are immediately reviewed and we have no hesitation in making the necessary changes and controls to ensure our team remains safe.”

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Virgin Australia for additional comment.