WRITTEN BY CH. FAISAL MAHMOOD
Readers will recall that throughout the past forty plus years, every week, in this space, on this page, we have proactively drawn attention to the various national institutions in our Tourism Industry and to their work, efforts, achievements and potentials. One such institution, rather the major such institution being PIA, we have often addressed its doings, problems, abilities, efforts and achievements.
Putting of PIA under the Essential Services Act 1952 for six months by the government of Pakistan has come under heavy criticism from employees’ unions and so-called pro-labour political parties. For last many years, the national carrier has been a complete mess, where unionists have ensured bogus employments and opposed all attempts at reform. Under the false pretext of labour rights and welfare, the PIA has been made a home of nepotism, favoritism, inefficiency and the result was heavy losses. This model style is absolutely unsustainable and unbearable anywhere in the world if you have to run the organization successfully.
Even at this most difficult position, they choose to ignore the fact that putting the PIA under Essential Services Act 1952 was absolutely imperative to ensure most essential services remain uninterrupted. The PIA has to accomplish the war like task of rescuing thousands of Pakistanis stuck abroad.
Due to Covid-19, the airline industry across the world is experiencing unsurmountable losses. We haven’t seen in our 40 plus years of publication such devastating impact of any menace on travel, hotel, cruise and airline industry. The horrifying thing is that the duration and devastating impact of the killer virus is still unknown. Truly, we never witnessed airline industry of the world in such big trouble before.
As entire fleets remain grounded with domestic and international travel activity disappearing overnight, airlines are already making tough decisions to prevent complete collapse. Virgin Australia files for bankruptcy, Air Mauritius goes into administration ,South African Airways goes bankrupt, Finair returns 12 planes, Ryanair grounds 113 planes, Norwegian returns Boeing 787s, SAS returns 14 planes, Etihad cancels 18 orders, Emirates grounds 38 A380s, British Airways grounds 34 planes and everyone over 58 to retire, Lufthansa grounds 72 aircrafts and others have announced massive layoffs as they plead for bailouts. The government of Pakistan should not hesitate from implementing necessary measures and shedding deadweight at the PIA in order to keep it operational. It should not allow special interests masquerading as rights advocates to cause further harm. PIA confirmed that it was proceeding with its decision to de-recognize several associations active within the flag carrier, and encroaching its management without any legal basis, except for the trade union or CBA (collective bargaining agent) having a constitutional role and protection.
AS the de-recognition of associations (not CBA) have been taken in extreme circumstances and the ensuing emergency situation in the country rather across the globe and it has the support of the nation.
We are sure they will think, whether this was the time to so press their employer when it is in such difficult time, strapped of cash conducting operations for bringing back Pakistani stranded abroad.
The de-recognition of associations (not CBA) have been taken in extreme circumstances and the ensuing emergency situation in the country rather across the globe and it has the consent of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, it said.
