Flights in Nigeria are set to be grounded as workers unions within the nation’s aviation sector have announced a fresh strike which is scheduled to commence on September 18.
The strike action follows the Federal Government’s refusal to reverse the 50% deduction policy from internally generated revenues of agencies in the aviation sector.
In a joint statement signed by leaders of five aviation workers unions, the workers expressed their frustration with the government’s refusal to discontinue the deductions, which they claim have severely impacted the financial stability of critical agencies.
These agencies include the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.
The unions, comprising the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees, warned that critical safety activities are already being compromised due to financial strain.
The workers accused the government of ignoring their pleas, despite the expiration of an ultimatum issued to the Minister of Aviation in August.
The statement read in part, “All efforts on our part have failed to impress it upon the Federal Government that all the Agencies are cost recovery, and not profit making, organizations. As such they cannot survive on half of their incomes under any model of administration or any other guise whatsoever. The ultimatum given to the Minister of Aviation on the same has expired since the end of August 2024.
“Information available to us indicates that some important safety critical activities of the Agencies are grinding to a halt under the yoke of the deductions. It has, therefore, become incumbent on us as trade unions and workers in aviation to let the public and the government be aware that we shall bear no responsibility in the event that the industry becomes dysfunctional as a result of financial incapacity due to the deductions at source.
“All State Councils, Women Commissions /Committees, Youth Councils and Branches of our Unions nationwide are to fully mobilise for, and ensure full compliance and success of the peaceful protests.”