Aviation Security and Logistics Workers in Nigeria to Strike Over Low Wages
Aviation security and logistics workers in Nigeria are set to go on strike from August 16th, 2023, due to their low monthly wages. The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has ordered this strike, citing the workers’ dissatisfaction with their meager N30,000 pay.
In a circular sent to various aviation authorities, including the Director-General Civil Aviation, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Commissioner of Police, Airports Command, NUATE expressed its concerns over the pay disparity. The circular, signed by the General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Ocheme Aba, highlighted that most of the aviation security personnel are graduates who earn a paltry N30,000 each month.
According to the union, previous attempts to negotiate better wages for their members have failed, raising serious questions about the adequacy of N30,000 in today’s Nigeria. NUATE lamented the extreme impoverishment of these workers and compared their current situation to a slave labor camp.
In response to the failure of the aviation companies to secure fair remuneration for their employees, NUATE declared an indefinite withdrawal of services beginning on August 16, 2023. This industrial action aims to pressure the authorities into meeting the workers’ demand for improved wages.
The strike will affect all aviation logistics companies throughout Nigeria, with NUATE directing its state councils and branches in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu to ensure full compliance with the withdrawal of services.
The news of the impending strike raises concerns about the potential disruption it may cause to the aviation sector in Nigeria. The withdrawal of aviation security and logistics workers could impact operations and lead to delays at airports across the country. Passengers and airlines alike will be closely watching the situation, hoping for a swift resolution that addresses the workers’ grievances.
This development emphasizes the ongoing battle for fair wages and worker rights in Nigeria’s aviation industry. It also highlights the wider issue of income inequality and the challenges faced by workers in obtaining reasonable compensation for their efforts. Stakeholders in the aviation sector must engage in constructive dialogue with the union to find a sustainable solution that supports the well-being of the workers while ensuring the smooth operation of the industry.
The strike represents a bold move by the aviation security and logistics workers in their fight for better pay. It remains to be seen how the authorities and aviation companies will respond to this pressing issue. As the strike date of August 16, 2023 draws near, all eyes will be on the negotiations and the potential impact on Nigeria’s aviation landscape.
