Realisng that their members are among most hazardously exposed set of frontline workers to Corona Virus (COVID-19), air transport workers have called for better work environment and drastic measures to arrest the scourge in Nigeria.
That existing condition has reduced the workers to endangered species in their various workplaces, the aviation unions: National Union of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) appealed to various managements in aviation industry in Nigeria to prioritize provision of insurance covers, sanitary apparels/consumables like facial masks, hand sanitizers, hand gloves as well as protective clothing to the frontline workers who interface with passengers and customers at the domestic airports, in their offices and duty posts.
The unions however, commended the decision of the Federal Government to suspend all international flights into Nigeria in a bid to halt further importation of the virus into the country via our international airports.
The statement was jointly signed by Deputy General Secretary Deputy General Secretary, ATSSSAN, Comrade Frances Akinjole, Deputy General Secretary Deputy General Secretary, NAAPE, Umoh Ofonime. T; General Secretary General Secretary, ANAP, Comrade Abdul Rasaq Saidu and General Secretary General Secretary, NUATE, Comrade Ocheme Aba.
Commending managements which have put the safety of their workers above all other considerations by allowing some categories of workers to work from the isolation of their homes in the meantime in the interest of health and safety, the unions however, urged those that are yet to take the initiative to look into it in good time
“Though, our international airports activities have been restricted, it is an uncomfortable fact that COVID-19 is already in our midst in Nigeria. It is therefore our demand that a proper measure be put in place to provide insurance cover for our members in the event of fatal consequence from covid-19 in their line of duties.
“While commending the decision by the Federal Government to suspend all international flights into Nigeria in a bid to halt further importation of the dread virus into the country via our international airports, we call on the various Managements in the aviation industry to prioritize the provision of sanitary apparels/consumables like facial masks, hand sanitizers, hand gloves and protective clothing to our frontline workers who interface with passengers, even at the local airports and with customers (internal and external) in their offices and at their duty posts,” the unions said. .
While the unions noted that some managements within the industry have put the safety of their workers above all other considerations by allowing some categories of workers to work from the isolation of their homes in the meantime in the interest of health and safety. They urged those who are yet to take that initiative to look into it in good time.
Also noted that the dread virus is already in Nigeria while government has restricted flights into the international airports, the unions demanded that a proper measure be put in place to provide insurance cover for our members in the event of fatal consequence from covid-19 in their line of duties.
Seeing themself as veritable social partners in industry, the body affirmed that it remains very open to progressive dialogue with every concerned stakeholder in a bid to collectively sustain hope and confidence in the people.
