Aviation Workers in Nigeria Demand Living Wage Amid Crisis

On May 1, during the Workers' Day celebration in Lagos, Ogb John, the president of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), addressed the challenges faced by aviation workers in Nigeria. He emphasized the sacrifices made by aviation personnel who continue to operate under difficult conditions despite economic hardships.

John pointed out that salaries have not kept pace with inflation and the rising cost of living, leading to a demand for a living wage. He criticized the reliance on contract and casual labor in the aviation sector, describing it as a threat to worker safety and dignity.

The association also raised concerns about the ongoing crisis surrounding the availability of Jet A1 fuel and the urgent need for the federal government to expedite payments owed to former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways. Additionally, John urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the immediate implementation of approved grants for retirees.

The ATSSSAN president also criticized organizations within the aviation sector that resist unionization, asserting that workers' rights to belong to trade unions must be upheld.