On Tuesday in Lagos, no fewer than 100 sacked employees of Dana Air picketed the airline’s head office over alleged unpaid salaries and outstanding pensions. 

The disgruntled ex-workers said the suspended airline had only one “serviceable” plane out of seven aircraft.

The protesters were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions, such as ‘Expatriates not paid for three months’, ‘Pension deductions not remitted since 2008’, ‘Say No to tyranny’ and ‘7 aircraft, only one serviceable’, among others.

The airline’s former training and cabin services manager, Magdalene Onyeukwu, also among the protesters, expressed dismay over the workers’ laying-off and accused the airline management of a lack of empathy.

Ms Onyeukwu also accused the management of not making adequate settlements before relieving the workers of their jobs.

“I have been working with the airline since 2008, and I participated in the demo flight, which got them their Air Operator Certificate (AOC),” Ms Onyeukwu said. “I and others like me have been dedicated, even in the face of challenges. When salaries were not paid, we were committed until the runway incident of April 23.”

She added, “It is normal for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to audit the airline, but before we knew it, we got WhatsApp messages that our services were no longer required.

“The Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, Mr Jacky Hathiramani, should address us. We want our gratuities, while our April salary and one month in lieu of service should be paid.”

Another protester, Eze Chidi, a former aviation security (AVSEC) supervisor, condemned the airline management’s action against the workers, describing it as uncalled for.

Mr Chidi urged the federal government to intervene in the alleged victimisation, enslavement, exploitation and unaccountable management, among other acts.

The Dana Air management officials could not be immediately reached for comments.

The NCAA suspended the airline’s AOC on April 24 following a runway skid of its MD-82 aircraft, registration number 5N-BKI, on April 23.

The airline’s AOC was suspended to allow the NCAA to carry out a comprehensive audit of the company. 

Following the ongoing audit, the airline announced in a statement on May 11 that some of its employees had been “temporarily disengaged.”

(NAN)