|
|
|
Change low graphic options | Change language | Skip content to navigation
Page context: Home > Transport International Magazine > Issue 21 October 2005 > Why are we waiting? > The struggle continues
By Godbless Ozegbe, former Nigeria Airways staff member in the engineering and maintenance department
On 31 May 2004 the government announced the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, as a result of a damaging report presented by the then minister of aviation, Mrs.Kema Chikwe. This came to me as a very rude shock, especially as management was about to implement the second phase of its programme of repositioning the airline, having completed the first phase with resounding success.
I felt terribly disappointed because it was obvious that I was going into the already saturated unemployment market in the country. I felt bad that the closure of the airline would dash my hopes of realising my career ambition as an aviator.
With my status as a public servant, backed by the provisions of the Pensions Act and the constitution of the country, I expected my salary arrears and other benefits to be promptly paid to me. This did not happen.
To date the liquidator has only managed to pay my salary arrears, leaving other outstanding benefits unpaid. The delay in the payment of my full entitlements is as a result of the government position, through the minister of aviation, that I am not a public servant. This is completely against the labour laws as enshrined in the constitution, which states that any company either wholly owned by the government, or in which the government has a controlling share, is a public organisation, whose employees are entitled to gratuities and pensions.
I thank God that I have a vibrant, focused and committed union at the forefront of the struggle. Through them I have been able to get my salary arrears settled. And with their ongoing efforts, supported by my colleagues and myself, we now have some hope of light at the end of the tunnel. However, the struggle continues. It is not over until it’s over.
Section home:
Issue 21 October 2005
Other pages for Issue 21 October 2005:
Comment | Moving Europe forward | When the liberal order falters | Lessons of Amagasaki rail crash | The Teamsters is my life | The bus business | Reflections: The London bombings | Working life | Supply chain solidarity | London staff resolute in face of terror attacks | Will freedom be fair? | Rising to the challenge | On the move
Other pages for Why are we waiting?:
ITF Home | Transport International Magazine | Current issue | Previous issues | About Transport International | Distribution | Request copies | Editorial staff
accessibility | site help | site map
The journal of the International Transport Workers' Federation
© ITF 2004 All rights reserved
ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR | +44 20 7403 2733 | mail@itf.org.uk
