Aviation workers in Nigeria are set to disrupt operations on Monday, a second strike this year in protest over working conditions and wages, unions said on Friday.
The country’s aviation industry is grappling with jet fuel shortage, poor facilities and poor wages, that often ground domestic flights and a lack of foreign currency that has seen international carriers failing to repatriate their ticket sales.
The aviation workers consisting of pilots, engineers, control tower operators and other airport workforces said in a notice dated Friday that they would boycott work on Monday and Tuesday citing outstanding arrears and a decision by the federal government to demolish the Lagos offices of some aviation agencies to pave way for airport expansion.
“All aviation workers are hereby directed to withdraw all services in the sector on April 17 and 18 as warning strike,” the unions said.
The strike notice was endorsed by the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees.
“Should the warning strike fail to achieve the desired results, an indefinite strike shall ensue. All workers should comply and all state councils and branch executive members shall enforce this directive without compromise.” An official from the Ministry of Aviation did not respond to requests for comment.
