Terms exclusion of unions unacceptable, violation of international labor standards
The International Transport Workers’ Federation is urging Prime Minister Shehbaz to stop the PIA privatisation
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has called for the privatization process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to be halted immediately, according to a letter from ITF Secretary General Stephen Cotton.
In the letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Cotton requested that the privatization process be put on hold “until there is a meaningful dialogue with the unions representing PIA’s workforce.”
Cotton argued that the privatization process has excluded unions, including the ITF-affiliated People’s Unity. He said this exclusion is unacceptable, undermines collective agreements and constitutes a violation of global labor standards.
According to the letter, the proposed privatization affects not only essential PIA assets and core airline operators, but also allied operations personnel, including those in ground handling, engineering, training and catering.
Read: Full PIA sale approved after bidders reject government role in airline’s affairs
Cotton warned that without union consultation there is a significant risk of losing skilled and experienced workers. He added that this could affect employee livelihoods, passenger and worker safety and “the airline’s operational success and financial stability.”
The federation has called on the Government of Pakistan to halt the privatization process until the unions are fully involved in the discussions, guarantee that PIA respects the rights of all its employees, and ensure transparent and constructive dialogue between the airline’s management and relevant unions.
