Aero Contractors has denied allegations in the media suggesting that the Company has neglected its responsibility to settle outstanding redundancy benefits.
The Airline in a statement said it has diligently worked to address and resolve the issue of redundancy benefits.
However, it acknowledged with concern the report attributed to the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) officials, protesting the failure of the Carrier to pay off some of its workers who have been separated from the Company since March 2017, a period of seven years.
“Management is indeed disappointed and surprised with NAAPE having called for a meeting regarding payment of outstanding benefits to a number of former employees; the Association decided to go public through the media before the meeting.
“A few clarifications need to be made to put things in context and clarify issues. The Company has successfully disbursed redundancy payments to at least 95 per cent of affected staff.
“Admittedly, we still have outstanding financial commitment to a few affected staffers. However, plans are under way to defray these and we have been engaging with affected staff to carry them along in all that the Company has been doing and going through.
“For the avoidance of doubt, out of a total number of 237 staffers affected by the redundancy, 225 have been paid off representing 94.94 per cent of those affected.
“Nonetheless, we still have a total of 12 outstanding staff members that are yet to be paid. This represents about 5.06 per cent of the original population. Of this number, three are ATSSSAN members and nine belong to NAAPE. Efforts are being made in the near future to pay the outstanding to them,” the statement explained.
Aero Management in the statement empathised with the discomfort and strain this experience has put on the affected individuals as well as the whole Company and asked for more understanding as it works towards resolving all outstanding issues, even as it highlights some of its major constraints.
“We believe it is important to situate the whole experience within the operational context that Aero Contractors in particular and the industry in general has had to operate over the period in question.
“The operating environment within the Aviation Industry has been overwhelmingly challenging, with the Company enduring significant challenges including two instances of cessation of operations for extended periods.
“The first was in August 31, 2016 to late December 2016 and the second was in July 20th, 2022 to December 4th, 2022. After about a five months shut down we have assiduously worked on defraying outstanding payments and commitments, not only to affected personnel but to ensure the viability of operations and to continue as a going concern.
“This is in spite of additional challenges posed by escalating cost of operations, particularly the substantial cost of the fuel component of our operational costs which has severely constrained our finances and affecting allocations to various expense headings, including terminal benefits owed to former employees,” the statement further explained.
Be that as it may, as the figures show, the statement revealed that the Management of the Airline has been relentless in ensuring a vast majority of affected persons are settled.
“We assure you that Aero Contractors remains committed to fulfilling its obligations to all stakeholders. We continue to actively work to resolve all outstanding issues and ensure that affected individuals receive their rightful entitlements.
“Since the return of the company in December 2022 to operations, we have ensured a call back of all employees and reintegrated them to be in a position to contribute to building the Organisation they love back to the stature for which it has always been known.
“It is an onerous task that we (former and current staff)owe the Company and the heritage we have laboured for over the years. We shall succeed,” the statement assured.
While appreciating the understanding of the affected parties, the statement further read “our commitment to operating with integrity and accountability remains unwavering, and Aero Contractors remains steadfast in its dedication to the well-being of its employees, past and present.