Aviation workers have announced plans to stage a protest next week against the federal government’s policy of deducting 50% of internally generated revenue (IGR) from airports across the country.
The workers argue that the federal government’s deductions are severely impacting airport operations, and despite multiple efforts to engage with the government, no resolution has been reached.
This decision was made public in a statement released on Wednesday, titled “Save Aviation from Collapse – Notice of Nationwide Protest.” The statement was signed by leaders of several unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees, and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.
The statement declared: “All workers of the NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, NiMet, NCAT, and NSIB, supported by all aviation workers, are hereby directed to embark on peaceful protests at all airports nationwide on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. This protest is to demand the discontinuation of the 50% deduction from the internally generated revenue of the aforementioned agencies.”
The unions emphasized that their attempts to convince the Federal Government that these agencies are cost-recovery, not profit-making organizations, have failed. They argued that these agencies cannot survive on half of their income under any administrative model.
“Information available to us indicates that some critical safety activities within these agencies are being compromised due to these deductions. As trade unions and aviation workers, we feel compelled to alert the public and the government that we will not be held responsible if the industry becomes dysfunctional due to financial incapacity caused by these deductions.”
The unions also called on all State Councils, Women Commissions/Committees, Youth Councils, and Branches nationwide to mobilize fully for the peaceful protests and ensure their success.
