Workers’ Day Declaration: Aviation Unions Urge Fair Policies for Sector Stability

….Demands for Fair Wages

Unions in the aviation industry have urgently called for action to tackle the challenges confronting Nigeria’s aviation sector. 

Speaking during the 2024 Workers’ Day celebration, leaders of the unions voiced concerns about policy changes by the present Administration, such as the removal of fuel subsidy and currency floating, which have significantly increased business costs and created uncertainty in the sector, leading to social imbalances.

“In the aviation sector, these twin changes have had very unsalutary impact on businesses, creating uncertainties and social dis-equilibriums. The attendant rises in the cost of doing business has seriously challenged management capabilities. And as usual, the worker is being made to bear the brunt.  As a result, the industrial atmosphere is presently flammable, needing all available tendance and resourceful thinking”.

Highlighting the impact on workers and the populace at large, President, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Nnabue stressed the need for collaborative efforts between management and the union to find fair solutions that enable workers to continue their duties amidst rising living costs.

He also urged stakeholders to ensure adequate protection for the private and quasi-private sectors during the ongoing review of the National Minimum Wage Act, emphasizing the importance of clear provisions for consequential adjustments applicable to all groups.

President, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals ANAP, Comrade Alale Adebayo highlighting the theme of the day, “People First”, called for the long-overdue review of aviation agencies’ Conditions of Service and urged prompt action to commence the process. 

“The welfare of the staff is very key. The Conditions of service is the Bible of the workers and it is this CoS that makes the workers happy and be productive”.

He applauded the Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development for addressing outstanding payments to former Nigeria Airways staff and appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the release of the final payment tranche to resolve the matter definitively.

Secretary General, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers NAAPE, comrade Olayinka Abioye also harped on the theme listing other demands for workers in the industry.

“And as a very strong message to the Federal Government, state and local government is that enough is enough. The Nigerian people must come first, enough of capitalism. I want a situation where an average Nigerian can wake up and be assured of his meal for that day, shelter, access to medical facilities for that period and the over 200m people should enjoy all given benefits that we have had”.

Expressing concern over the deduction of aviation agencies’ revenue, the two union leaders warned of potential service withdrawals if the situation persists, emphasizing the importance of adequate funding for maintaining safety infrastructure and processes in the aviation sector.