The staffers of Dana Air yesterday came out en masse to protest the sack of the entire workforce of the Organisation without gratuity and salary.
Recall that the Airline on May 11 announced that it was temporarily disengaging some staff pending the conclusion of the ongoing audit by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The audit was necessitated by the incident of runway excursion involving one of the Airline’s aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos on April 23, 2024.
The workers who spoke to newsmen at the headquarters of the Airline along Oshodi-Apapa Express Way, during the protest said they read the news that Dana staff had been sacked through the social media but they thought it was a joke until they started receiving messages via whatsapp that their services were no longer required.
A Supervisor in Dana Air, Gloria Okonwo, who was among the protesters said: “We are here because we have been trodden down upon. The Airline has shown us that we are nothing. Most of us here have worked for 15 years until we got messages on our whatsapp that our services are no longer required.
“We had an incursion on 23rdof April; we want our April salary to be paid. April 23rd means April has been wrapped, we need our entitlement.”
Also speaking, The Training Manager, Dana Air (Cabin Services), Madam Magdalene Oyokun, said she had been with Dana Air for 2008 and was one of those that participated in the demo flight for Dana to get its Air Operators Certificate (AOC).
“Since then we have been working, even during challenges, when there were no salaries we were still dedicated. Then until the runway incursion which is normal in aviation, NCAA has the right to say they want to come and audit the Airline.
“We worked several times for Dana Air to come back. No information anywhere then we got a message on Whatsapp that our services are no longer required. Jackie Hathiramani (Managing Director of Dana Air) should come to address us.
“We want our gratuity, our salaries, etc. This is unacceptable! After 15 years of service, after all these you say services are not required through Whatsapp. Who does that in a corporate organisation? If you don’t need me, pay me my entitlement,” she lamented.
Another aggrieved staffer, Aviation Security Supervisor, Mr. Eze Chidiebere, also lamenting said we are here to demand our right because we have labored for the Airline.
“Dana flew on 23rd of April and up till now April salary has not been paid. My children are at home because I have not paid their school fees,” adding that Dana does not remit the tax and pension they deduct from workers salaries to “our accounts unlike our colleagues in other airlines that have fat pension accounts.”
Chidiebere further complained that they have laboured so much for the Airline recalling that they leave home by 5am with Uber in order to dispatch 6.20 am flights.
He said this was the first phase of the protest planned to last for three days and if nothing happens they would activate other steps including legal means and the aviation unions
“This is going to last for three days. If this does not work we engage the unions and other means, even legal,” he added.
The protesters displayed various placards with inscriptions; “Please pay us our April salary;” Say No to Tyranny;” ‘If you cannot pay your staff, are your planes safe?” among others.
Dana Air started flight operations in Nigeria in 2008 operating to Owerri, Port Harcourt, and Abuja from its hub in Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.