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Aviation Staff Threaten Strike Over Welfare

Chileka: One of afew Points of Entries Chileka: One of afew Points of Entries File Photo

Staff from the Department of Civil Aviation across the country has threatened industrial action over lack of personal protective equipment and risk allowances in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement addressed to Chief Secretary to Government Lloyd Muhura, the staff observe that they continue to service flights in and out of the country carrying essential cargo and medicals for management of the Covid-19 environment in the country and hence require protective gear.

“This is a major concern for us as we are putting everyone including our family members at risk since we are exposed to the virus every time we report for duties.

“Our concerns were forwarded to the office of the Director of Department of Civil Aviation and in turn to the office of the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.

All these efforts have brought no positive response and this has compelled us to write to your office so that our concerns are addressed with the required urgency,” reads part of the letter to Muhura which has also been addressed to the Principal Secretary for Transport, the Director of Civil Aviation and all airport authorities.

The workers have since given government up to 29 May to respond to the grievances failing which they say they shall stage an industrial action.

The workers state that since most flight operate during odd hours they are at a greater risk of contracting diseases including Covid19 hence their call for urgent intervention from authorities

The aviation staff also want authorities to effect promotions within their rank and file in line with the Malawi Public Service Regulations (MPSR) where an officer is supposed to be promoted once in every four years of occupying a post - a thing they claim is very rare in their department.

The workers say unlike in other civil service department they are always exposed to radiation whenever they are at work from RADAR, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) equipment which pose a health hazard as they require high voltage to be powered.

Among other things in the statement, the workers have also highlighted issues to do with housing, transport, implementation of the civil aviation authority and training and refresher courses.

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Last modified on Wednesday, 27/05/2020

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