Palpa asks PIA to implement working agreement

KARACHI: The Pakistan Airline Pilots' Association (Palpa) has demanded PIA management to immediately implement the working agreement, especially the clauses concerning flight safety and flight duty time limitations, said a statement issued Thursday.
Palpa, the representative body of pilots of the national flag carrier, in a special meeting of its members made it clear to the management that it is going to withdraw all extra favours being given to the airline for the management’s cooperation in safety matters.
The management not only disregarded the working agreement but also did not consult the Pakistan Airline Pilots' Association while acquiring pilots on daily wages basis on contract, despite PIA Chairman stating on record in a press conference that Palpa will be consulted on the matter.
Such moves only jeopardise flight safety, as pilots on contract will not have job security and can be manipulated by authorities based on the status of their job.
“We have decided to first withdraw all waivers extra cooperation being given to the airline and then in the second stage we would follow our duties as per ‘rules only’.
The decision has been approved by all the members from across the country,” said Captain Sohail Ahmed, General Secretary, Pakistan Airline Pilots' Association.
He added that the working agreement was signed on a two-year basis, which covers critical issues pertaining to flight safety, duty time limitation, perks and privileges, etc.
He said that Pakistan Airline Pilots' Association-PIAC Working Agreement 2013-2015 was submitted to the chairman Pakistan International Airlines two and a half months ago to discuss the draft agreement.
Instead, the Pakistan International Airlines management started adopting measures which directly put flight safety at risk, and pressurised the pilots to sign a contract.