May Day: Aviation workers demand living wage

The National President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Ogbe John, on Friday, said aviation workers in Nigeria are facing worsening economic and operational conditions as the country marked this year’s Workers’ Day.

Addressing workers during the May 1 celebration in Lagos, the ATSSSAN president recalled the sacrifices of aviation personnel who have continued to keep the sector running despite mounting hardship.

He said, “Today, we stand together from the runway to the terminal to celebrate the hands and minds that keep Nigerians and the world flying. When passengers sleep on the aircraft, the air traffic controller is awake.

“When families reunite at arrivals, it is because baggage handlers, cleaners and check-in staff did their job.”

He stressed that from engineers working in difficult weather conditions to aviation security personnel standing for long hours, airport workers remain the backbone of the industry.

Describing their importance, he said, “You are the airport. Without you, there is no aviation — no take-off, no landing, no connection.”

The ATSSSAN president, however, noted that the reality for many workers is grim, as salaries fail to keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living.

“Our naira is still weak. Food prices rise daily, but salaries are not keeping up. Aviators are suffering in silence. We demand a living wage that reflects the risks we take and the cost of living in 2026,” he said.

He also criticised the growing reliance on contract and casual labour in the aviation sector, describing it as a threat to safety and workers’ dignity.

“The airport should not be a testing ground for casual labour. Contract staffing must be systematically phased out. If there must be safety in the sky, there must be dignity of labour in the industry,” he added.

The union leader further raised concerns over the persistent crisis surrounding the cost and availability of Jet-A1 fuel, warning that the situation, worsened by global tensions, could cripple the aviation industry if not urgently addressed.

He also called on the Federal Government to expedite the long-delayed payment of entitlements owed to former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways, lamenting that many retirees have died waiting for their benefits.

“The approved N36 billion remains trapped in bureaucratic delays. We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the immediate implementation of the approval granted,” he said.

He assured affected retirees that the union would continue to advocate for them until their entitlements are paid.

The ATSSSAN president also criticised organisations within the aviation sector that resist unionisation, insisting that workers have a constitutional right to belong to trade unions.

“Unionisation is not a privilege; it is a right guaranteed by law. Aviators should not be made to beg to belong to a union. We will not allow this right to be violated,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals also expressed concerns over recent interventions in the aviation sector, warning that current measures may not be sufficient to address the challenges facing airlines and industry stakeholders.

The union noted that while steps have been taken to ease financial pressures, more comprehensive and sustainable solutions are required to stabilise the sector.

The workers were reacting to the 30 per cent reduction in taxes paid to government agencies in the sector.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had announced President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the tax reduction in response to rising aviation fuel prices.

ANAP also reiterated its concerns over airport concessions, describing it as a sensitive issue with far-reaching implications for workers, particularly those under the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

The association maintained that while it recognises the Federal Government’s authority to concession airports, it has consistently advocated for the protection of workers’ welfare and national economic interests.

Speaking on industry interventions, ANAP stated, “We consider the recent debt forgiveness deal offered to airlines as a mere scratch on the surface of the problem. A more meaningful support mechanism is required to address the depth of the crisis.

“We use the occasion of this May Day celebration to call for dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders. Only through honest engagement can the challenges confronting the aviation sector be effectively addressed.”