Nigerian airline, Arik Air has retrenched 300 workers.
This was disclosed in a Friday statement signed by the company’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola.
In the statement titled “Arik Air management declares 300 staff redundant”, he said the company’s action was necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement came a day after the airline’s activities were disrupted by picketing carried out by a section of the aviation workers’ union, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).
According to the statement, the pandemic has limited the company’s ability to complete maintenance needed to return its planes to operations, causing reduced revenue amid rising costs.
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The company stated that the 300 workers are now redundant to the current level of operations.
“The leadership of the impacted unions has been contacted to negotiate a redundancy package for the affected staff.
“It is important to note that over 50 percent of Arik Air’s workforce of over 1,600 staff have been on furlough in the past six months on a base allowance.
“Decisions to let go of staff is naturally a difficult decision. Arik Air wishes the impacted staff well in their future endeavors,” the statement read.
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