‘No job losses’ from airport outsourcing

The Senate Standing Committee on Aviation was assured on Tuesday that no one would get unemployed as a result of outsourcing of the management and operations of the Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore airports. The panel met under the chairmanship of Hidayatullah Khan. The committee members were given clause-wise briefing on Civil Aviation Bill 2023.

Speaking on the occasion, Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique maintained that they had extended guarantee that “not a single person will be unemployed” as a result of the outsourcing of the management and operations of the Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore airports.

The participants of the meeting were told that no strategic asset was being handed over to anyone and that “terminal operation and apron” were being outsourced.

It was further said that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) would soon visit Pakistan. The minister said that the UK flights may open in September.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of the Steering Committee on Outsourcing of Airports.

Federal Minister for Aviation and Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Law & Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Government Effectiveness Dr. Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, Secretary Aviation, CEO Public Private Partnership Authority, DG Pakistan CAA, IFC team, government officials and representatives of Civil Aviation Employees Union attended the meeting, said a press release issued here.

The representatives of Unions of Civil Aviation Employees put forward their concerns on outsourcing of airports especially related to their job security.

The Cabinet Committee listened the issues of the employees and assured them that the government has already taken into consideration all the matters related to the transition of management services and has addressed all the matters put forward by the unions, especially job security.

Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar extended full support to the employees and reiterated that the government will not leave any vagueness in the process of outsourcing and everything will be taken care of with full consideration about the employees and their future.The team of representatives of all Unions of employees of Civil Aviation thanked the Finance Minister for his support and cooperation.

With additional input form APP