The Joint Aviation Trade Unions’ Forum (JATUF) has stressed the need to prioritise the welfare of aviation workers to guarantee safety in the sector.
The Chairman of JATUF, Comrade Ben Nnabue made the call at the third edition of the Aviation Unions Leadership Conference in Lagos.
108scoop.com reports that JATUF is a coalition of various aviation unions.
The Conference had its theme: Safe Landing, Strong Leadership: Prioritising Workers’ Safety and Welfare in the Aviation Sector.
Nnabue classified poor workers welfare as a security and safety threat to Nigerian aviation.
According to him, lack of adequate pay and the denial of entitlements create an environment where the safety of passengers and cargo cannot be guaranteed.
“A hungry man is an angry man. The welfare in aviation is a security issue; when workers are not paid well, you cannot guarantee the safety of passengers and goods.
“In aviation, the issue of welfare is not treated as a mere welfare issue; it is also treated as a security and safety issue,” he said.
Speaking on the stalling of airport concession over unresolved labour issues, the chairman said according to relevant international standards, airport concessions cannot legally proceed until all labor issues are discussed, agreed upon, and formally signed off.
He said: “The unions are not necessarily opposed to the concession but insist that the government must honor its own laws. The lack of resolution on this matter fuels fear among current workers.
“That if rushed, could lead to the same outcome as the demise of Nigerian Airways, where staff entitlements were neglected for decades.”
On the payment of the severance package of the defunct Nigerian Airways staff after 21 years, Nnabue said that the Federal Government and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development have made all the approvals.
“Those of us who are working are worried that what happened to them might happen to us; and we want to appeal directly to the Finance Minister to expedite the payment of the remaining incomplete funds.
“The total amount owed continues to increase because Nigerian law dictates that pension allowances must rise in line with the salary increases of serving staff,” he said.
The JATUF Forum Secretary, Comrade Hector Nnamdi said that there was no safe sky without happy workers, stating that worker welfare is now a non-negotiable component of air safety.
“You cannot have a safe landing without a worker being happy in his workplace,” the Secretary declared. “If anything affects them, you can also mortgage a safe sky.”
“Government should prioritise and expedite Conditions of Service (CoS) across all aviation agencies, the delays reflect a disregard for workers.
“Improve workers’ take-home pay immediately through increased allowances and benefits to address the soaring cost of living in Nigeria,” he said.
He want workers to work with a boosted morale, with the satisfaction that the work they are doing, they don’t have anything to put odds on their way.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation , Dr Yakunu Kofarmata, who was represented by the Director Human Resources and Management in the ministry,
Mr Sani Torankawa said after perusing the theme of this year’s occasion, he identified the need for adoption of safety, leadership strategy and, most importantly, workers’ Welfare in the ever-evolving Aviation ecosystem.
These three very impactful elements drive growth, expansion and rapid development in any competitive business environment. These are, apparently, the dreng forces upon which the Ministerial mandate and the extant mandate of Aviation Agencies are dependent upon.
On his part, Dr Richard Aisuebeogun, an air transport specialist recommended labour and management synergy, dialogue, labour strategy continuous improvements among others.
He said that labour and management synergy was not optional but strategic and stressed for the need for collaborations to secure Nigeria’s aviation leadership in the future.
