PIA introduces 14-day VSS for employees

Scheme targets employees below 58 years of age, up to 18 years of service

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), with the approval of the federal cabinet, has introduced a 14-day Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) for its employees who are below the age of 58 and have up to 18 years of service, which will expire on December 22.

According to the PIA spokesperson, the scheme will enable a large number of employees to make decisions about their future in a dignified and beneficial manner, adding that interested employees will be able to submit applications to VSS coordinators at a desk specially set up till December 22.

As per the details regarding the VSS issued by the PIA Human Resource Department, employees below the age of 58 will be able to benefit from the scheme. The volunteer scheme will be applicable for more than 18 years of employment and less than 18 years of service.

It stated that employees with 18 years of service will receive one while the overtime ones will receive two basic salaries each year. “The scheme also includes lump sum payments to aspiring employees for pension, accumulated leave, graduation, provident fund, medical and pension up to 65 years.”

The spokesperson said that the PIA management launched the “voluntary segregation scheme” for permanent employees after obtaining approval from the federal cabinet.

According to the Human Resource Department’s documents, the VSS was introduced for 14 days under which employees benefiting from the scheme will be able to apply till December 22.

It stated that permanent employees of the PIA below the age of 58 will be eligible, while those who are above 58 years of age will not be eligible for the scheme.

“The scheme will be applicable for more than 18 years of employment and less than 18 years of employment,” it added. “The estimation of the VSS for the employees will be taken from the salary received by them on November 30, 2020 and the lump sum payment will be made to the eligible employees of the VSS on January 31, 2021.”

According to the HR Department, the employees will be paid a lump sum of pension, accumulated leave, graduation, provident fund, medical and pension up to 65 years. Thus, the Aircraft Engineering Pay Scale employees will receive a basic salary per annum along with a special allowance, and those who have more than 18 years of service will receive two basic salaries per year and a special allowance.

“Pilots who have served in the national airline for 18 years will be given a basic salary every year and 50% flying allowance” while pilots with more than 18 years of service will be able to get 70% flying allowance with two basic salaries.