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.

Ismail said some Malaysian airlines still refuse to provide this compensation, a double blow for crew members who already earn significantly less than their peers overseas.

Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific cabin crew members earn up to RM15,000 a month while Malaysian airlines only pay about RM5,000 a month, he said.

"The salary scheme for cabin crew have not changed for 20 years," he said.

He also urged airlines to provide insurance coverage worth at least RM150,000 per cabin crew member, given the risky nature of the job.

Ismail noted that the relatives of cabin crew on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was shot down while flying over Ukraine, were only paid RM90,000 per family.

He also urged the relevant agencies to look into grouses of former cabin crew members who were laid off without compensation.

"We urge the government to review all aspects of occupation safety for cabin crew members and ensure labour laws are enforced in the industry," he said.