PIA’s deepening imbroglio

Dealing with employee unions is not exactly a picnic, but the only solution was a dialogue rather than violence

‘Democracy’ is a word used loosely in Pakistan’s case. When it comes to privatisation and selling stakes in government-owned entities, it has become increasingly obvious that all parties involved will avoid indulging in a democratic discussion or debate of any sort. The government will use its mighty hand to power through any obstacle put up by the opposition, while employees of these institutions will muster all their strength to stage protests. This is what can be seen in the case of PIA with no stakeholder discussing ways to turn around the ailing airline that deserves better treatment than it has been meted out. With the ugly scenes that were witnessed near the PIA office in Karachi on February 2, the positions of all stakeholders are bound to get even more entrenched. Employees protesting against PIA’s privatisation were trying to disrupt daily operations even after the government had enforced the Essential Services Maintenance Act for a period of six months that meant any employee taking part in strike action will lose their job. Protesting employees were met by baton-charging law-enforcement personnel, with two protesters losing their lives after being hit by bullets.



The latest turn of events again highlights the PML-N government’s extremely highhanded approach to the entire issue. The powering through of a presidential ordinance to make the sale of PIA legal, then steamrolling legislation through parliament to the same effect and finally banning union activity, all display its domineering attitude. While one can completely understand the reasons being advanced for the privatisation of the national carrier, the authorities’ handling of the situation has only created more problems for them. What exactly is the bone of contention here? The fact that PIA’s losses have mounted to billions with taxpayers’ money being used to bail out the ailing company. There is no denying this state of affairs and PIA’s employee unions need to consider this. However, the government has once again botched any opportunity it had to foster a healthy debate on the issue. Granted that dealing with employee unions is not exactly a picnic, but the only solution to this imbroglio was a dialogue and not the violence that was inflicted on protesters. It seems a bit too late for that now.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd,  2016.

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