The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has given the Federal government a seven-day ultimatum to pay the N45 billion severance benefits due the former workers of Nigeria Airways.
The National President of ATSSSAN, Comrade Illitrus Ahmadu, issued the ultimatum while addressing aviation workers at the association’s secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos.
Ahmadu said the aviation industry is at a precipice considering series of activities and developments that have continued to plague the sector.
He disclosed that aviation workers are worried over plans by the government to concession airports, saying the association has employed engagement strategies to ensure that whatever model is adopted by government favours all parties.
Ahmadu challenged the government to adopt the airports privatization model implemented by many countries as government’s 100 hundred per cent ownership of airports is serving as a disincentive to many foreign investors.
“As labour leaders, we continue to engage the government to look at several options to better running of the airports instead of outright concession.
“We are confident that the various alternatives to concession, including privatization, could be employed as has been done in other countries.
“We do not want our members to lose their jobs, so whatever model to adopted by government should be in the interest of workers and the country.”
The labour leader also spoke about workers of Aero Contractors Airline accusing the management of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) of failing to inject funds into the carrier.
He said since AMCON took over the airline, it has not done enough to turn it around.
According to him, “the situation in Aero has put labour in a precarious position. If labour shuts down, it will not be in the best interest of all the parties.”
He however appealed to Aero workers to show understanding, as the options available to labour will not improve the condition of the airline.