PIA decides legal action against protesting employees
KARACHI: The management of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to take legal action against the employees who are protesting against the privatization of the national carrier and demanding salary increase, ARY News reported on Friday.
Sources told ARY News that the PIA management has ended its legal consultations to take action against the employees protesting against the privatization plan and demanding salary increases.
The sources said the action will be taken against alleged breaches of Pakistan’s Basic Services (Maintenance) Act of 1952, which was introduced in May, adding that negligence in performing duties is an offense.
Under the Essential Services Act, workers were prohibited from gathering crowds or holding protests or sit-ins.
Earlier, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) administration closed the office of the airline’s Senior Officials Association (SSA) as it staged protests along with other employee associations against the privatization and bifurcation decisions.
The national airline’s administration has sealed the PIA Senior Staff Association (SSA) office amid protests against privatisation, bifurcation and pay hike.
According to a copy of the email to ARY News, the SSA office was closed on the instructions of GM Welfare IR & Sports Shoaib Ahmad Dahr.
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PIA SSA general secretary Safdar Anjum said in a statement that the administration took an illegal step by sealing the office of the association. He termed the administrator’s move as destroying a peaceful environment.
He promised that the protests will continue until the demands are met.
Ahead of the development, PIA employees staged a protest against the proposed privatization of the airline. The protesters demanded the approval of the charter of their demand from the higher authorities.
They also demanded an increase in the salaries of the employees. PIA employees also went on strike demanding a pay hike.
