A workers’ group for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced that all operational offices will remain close until February 02 in retaliation to the expected privatization of the national airline, Aaj News reported.
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Joint Action Committee of PIA Employees’ Union (JACPIAE) will continue its protest throughout the country today (Wednesday) despite negotiations between the JAC and the PIA chairman at a local hotel on Tuesday.
He said, “Closure of airline booking offices across the country will continue and Oil Tankers Owners Association has also joined hands with us to halt the fuel supply from February 02”. On January 5, the federal government converted the PIA privatisation ordinance into a bill to keep the PIA sell-off option open.
The PIA chairman asked the union leaders to end the protest as the strike call will further create financial problems for the airline and make it hard to pay salaries on time.
Meanwhile, the PIA administration has requested the demonstrators not to close booking offices as it would panic for passengers.
Joint Action Committee Secretary Obaidullah Khan, while talking to The Express Tribune said, “We have presented four demands: the resolution passed in the National Assembly be rescinded, aviation policy be reviewed, unions be involved in re-strengthening the airline and privatisation be deemed intolerable”.
President People’s Unity of PIA employees Sajid Gujajr said, “We are united against privatisation and officers are also with us”.
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A PIA spokesman said any delay in the schedule of flights could cause heavy losses to the airline and requested the employees to cooperate with the administration.
