Staff made good on their promise to picket the Dana Air at its corporate headquarters today, blocking the main entrances over Dana Air’s unpaid pensions.
Recently laid-off airline staff converged at Dana House gate as early as 8 AM, blocking the entrances. With placards reading: “Pension fraud! Outstanding Pensions! Outstanding taxes since 2008! Pension Deduction not remitted since 2008!” The staff expressed their displeasure at the treatment from their former employer.
However, ex-staff continued dancing and gyrating while awaiting official word from Dana’s Chief Executive Officer, Jacky Hathiramani.
A staff member who spoke to NigerianFLIGHTDECK said she worked as cabin crew for Dana for 10 years. “Will you believe me if I tell you about the balance in my pension account as I chat with you now is 51,000 naira? As in 51k, even if I worked as a cleaner for 10 years, my pension account balance shouldn’t be 51,000 naira. Dana is just trying to save face right now by saying they have started paying. We are tired of the same story over and over again. This is the only method they understand.”
Other staff shared tales of what they describe as injustice from the airline, stating that enough was enough.
Dana Air, after the suspension of operations by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to carry out safety and economic audits, laid off over 500 staff. The airline said it was a tough decision from its new investor who also reserves the right to rehire.
In a bid to forestall today’s strike, the airline GMD/CEO appealed to staff to have patience and understanding. He assured them that payment of Dana Air unpaid pensions would commence from today, Monday, 20 May 2024.
So far, it is unclear whether staff have started receiving payments, but they remain resolute in their demands. Furthermore, staff are insisting, “This is not the first time we have heard these promises and assurances from management. We are used to and tired of Dana Air’s antics.” One staff simply said:” All na Lamba!”
