Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has recently announced that it will take legal action against its employees who are protesting against the privatization of the national flag carrier and demanding a salary raise. The airline claims that the employees have violated the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952, which was imposed in May¹. This act makes any negligence in the line of duty a crime and prevents employees from gathering in crowds, staging protests, or sit-ins.
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The PIA administration has completed its legal consultations to take action against employees protesting against the privatization plan and demanding a salary raise. The action will be taken against the alleged violations of the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952. The PIA has been facing financial difficulties for several years and the government has been attempting to privatize the airline in hopes that new management may return it to profitability. However, employees oppose this move and demand a salary increase, claiming that other government departments received salary increments, but PIA employees were left out.
Tensions between the PIA administration and its employees are rising, with employees threatening a full strike if their demands are not met. The administration has even sealed the offices of the airline’s Senior Officers Association (SSA) for protesting against the privatization and bifurcation decisions and for a salary raise.
It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and what impact it will have on the future of PIA. The airline's financial woes and ongoing disputes with its employees present significant challenges for its future operations.