The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, has cautioned aviation unions to desist from threats of strikes over the Conditions of Services (CoS).
Sirika made the disclosure in a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday.
The minister was speaking during the third national delegate conference of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), held in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The minister, represented by the Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Mr Akin Olateru said the unions should rather worked with aviation agencies management for the recovery of the industry and its growth.
Sirika said the serious challenge posed by COVID-19 demands that all stakeholders work together to fashion out a viable pathway to a strong and healthy aviation industry that will offer everybody, including workers the desired dividends.
The minister said the forecast growth for the Nigeria Air Transport market was 174 per cent in the next 20 years and if met, would have supported approximately $4.7 billion of GDP and over 555,000 jobs.
Sirika said the sector was in a period of recovery, therefore this was not the time for threats and spate of industrial actions which would only further inhibit the growth the industry so badly needs.
He said: “We are in a period of recovery, so this is not the time for threats and spate of industrial actions which will only further inhibit the growth the industry so badly needs.
“The pandemic hit and aviation became one of the major casualties of COVID-19 and that in an industry that is known for low margins, especially the airline sector where labor is one of the largest cost, lowering labor costs is very attractive.
“IATA records show that as of 2018, air transport in Nigeria supported 241,000 jobs with a gross value added to GDP of US $1.7b.
“The forecast growth for the Nigeria Air Transport market was 174% in the next 20 years. If met, this would support approximately $4.7 billion of GDP and over 555,000 jobs.”
The minister said the unions had a critical role to play in the growth and sustenance of the aviation industry, as their members constitute the majority of the workers who toil day and night to ensure the smooth running of the industry.
Sirika said it was agreed that unions exist to serve the interests of their members, however, in an industry that was known for low margins, especially the airline sector where labor is one of the largest cost.
He added that lowering labor costs becomes very attractive and unions would always kick, yet, the industry needs labour just as labour needs the industry.
According to him, government, employers and labour must work together for the best interest of the aviation industry. This is what can guarantee job security and prosperity for stakeholders.
Sirika appealed to the unions to work together to save aviation and keep the global supply chains going, promising that, they would continue to carry labour along in policies as strategic moves to reposition the industry.
He also expected the unions to reciprocate this gesture with a bit more consideration and support in the best interest of the aviation sub sector.
Also, the National President ATSSSAN, Mr Ilitrus Ahmadu, noted that the first was the need for labour unions and employers in the sector to invest in industrial peace.
Ahmadu said this call had become necessary considering the devastating impact of COVID-19 in the aviation sector in the country, adding that this was the time for labour and employers to embrace constructive dialogue and negotiations towards the effective resolution of disputes.
He said 80 per cent of the successes achieved by his administration had been through table engagements with employers including the Federal Government.
