Aviation regulator: Employees against privatisation of airports, relocation of HQ

Threaten to stop operations at all airports if demands ignored

KARACHI: Pakistani aviation authorities’ plan to gradually privatise airports met its first big challenge on Monday after employees threatened to halt air transport if the decision is not reverted immediately.

Dozens of employees of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), led by office-bearers of the Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA), marched in front of the Karachi Press Club and chanted slogans against the Aviation Division.

The decision to move CAA headquarters to Islamabad from Karachi has added to months-old grievances of the employees related to new service rules, which have clipped many of their rights, and use of daily wagers through contractors.

“Thousands of our members will protest at the headquarters. If that doesn’t work, we will protest in front of all major airports. And if authorities continue to ignore us, then we would have no choice but to seize operations at all airports,” said CBA Chairman Rao Aslam.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Aviation Shujaat Azeem wants to move the CAA head office to Islamabad. While no reason has been publicly shared yet, officials say, the move is meant to have greater control over affairs of the aviation regulator and airports.

“All of a sudden, an order comes from one man and the head office is being moved,” Aslam said. “Isn’t it the Prime Minister and the Cabinet relevant authorities, which take such important decisions?”

Between 1,500 and 2,000 employees will be affected due to the decision, he said.

“We have been left in constant mental stress. No one has bothered to discuss this with us. What about accommodation, schools and health facilities that we have here?”

The office-bearers also criticised Azeem for introducing harsh service rules, which were now being used to punish employees, especially union members on petty issues.

CBA Secretary General Samiullah said new rules came into force in September 2014 but no one has been allowed to see a copy of the rules.

“How can we even defend ourselves, if we don’t know under which clause we are being punished?”

The increasing use of private contractors for hiring contractual workers has also perturbed the CBA.

“Contractual employees are being hired for Rs8,000 a month. Anyone working on such a meagre salary can easily be exploited by terrorists.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st,  2015.

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