The leadership of various unions in the aviation industry has expressed concern over the serial abuse of workers’ rights to belong to a union, vowing to take action to ensure employees exercise their constitutional rights.
The unions made this declaration at the 2nd edition of the Annual Strategic Aviation Trade Union Leadership Conference, organized by the Joint Aviation Trade Unions’ Forum (JATUF) in Lagos.
According to Comrade Illitrus Ahmadu, Chairman of JATUF, the recent ITF Global Conference in Marrakech, Morocco, highlighted the serial abuse of trade union and workers’ rights to unionize.
He emphasized that workers must be able to enjoy their rights for the environment to be enabling for businesses to thrive.
Comrade Ahmadu lamented that many workers have been laid off or airlines have closed shop without paying what is due to the workers.
“Sadly, some of these airlines have come and gone, some have celebrated 10, 15 years, anniversaries. They terminate their workers and they pay them nothing,” he said.
Comrade Adedayo Alale, President of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), warned that the unions will not hesitate to take action to protect workers’ rights.
“You have freedom to associate, then the workers, you are stopping them to use their freedom to associate in their own organization, we will deal with it”.
Ben Nnabue, President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), warned against underestimating the unions’ resolve. “We have the capacity to fight for the rights of aviation workers and achieve positive results”.
The unions have pledged to cooperate with industries to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, but emphasized that employers of labour must be ready to play their part.
They also vowed to continue to work together to build a culture of excellence, efficiency, and safety in the aviation industry.
The conference also featured a keynote address by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who acknowledged the critical role aviation unions play in maintaining workforce morale, advocating for best practices, and ensuring the seamless operation of the industry.
Emphasizing on the theme of the conference, “Synergy for Safety and Productivity: Management-Labour Collaboration”, keyamo represented by the Director, Special Duties FAAN, Henry Agbebire, emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration with aviation unions, ensuring open lines of communication, and addressing concerns with fairness and transparency.
Speaking through the FAAN’s Director, Corporate Services, Engr. Jensen Asaba, permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation Dr. Emmanuel Meribole said, management and labour are not opposing forces but partners in progress, saying, ” through mutual respect and trust, we can enhance operations and uphold world-class safety standards”.
On her part, the Managing Director FAAN Mrs Olubunmi Kuku also represented by the Director, Commercial and Business Development, Debola Agunbiade assured the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote the well-being of the workforce and strengthen industry operations.
The conference also saw the presentation of awards of Excellence to the Aviation Minister and the Permanent Secretary for their development and transformative change in the sector.
The conference, organized by JATUF in partnership with the Aviation Ministry, provided a platform for aviation unions to discuss challenges, share experiences, and strategize on ways to protect workers’ rights and improve working conditions.
