Dear editor,
I CRAVE your indulgence for the spending of your most valuable time to take cognisance of the salient points hereon as it relates to the labour malpractice in the aviation sector of our country that is coercive and exploitative of the workers in the sector.

Over the years, the aviation sector has grown by leaps and bounds and continues to develop. However, sir the same cannot be said for the workers in the industry. As a frequent user of the services over the years, I have been able to observe the exploitation of the workers both ground staff, pilots and engineers, with the ground staff handers and loaders being treated like beasts of burden, having to load aircraft in all kinds of weather inadequately protected in the lifting of fuel drums and heavy mining equipment unto trollies and pushing some to then be loaded unto the plane, making them prime candidates for hernia surgery. The pilots are slightly above that of a minibus driver and act like prima donnas in their interaction with the travelling public in some cases completely disrespectful and insulting.

The attrition rate of engineers is extremely high since most become frustrated with the push around to get their licence or the scheduling of exams for some in most cases as long as two years where they are competent in their duties but with certification means higher pay since responsibility is more, but the operators keep them in limbo until frustration steps in and they leave. The operators are not worried since they have an entire intake of graduates from the aeronautical school to choose from and the vicious circle continues with them reaping all of the benefits.

The travelling public is contemptuously treated; you buy a ticket for a scheduled flight to your destination is then given a specific time to check-in, some cases very early in the morning. You get there in keeping with the ticket timing but there is no one thereafter nearly an hour when check-in is started; then for boarding you walk or if in a wheelchair pushed to the plane where you are seated in a cramp position with heavy equipment and drums to the back of you just being a part of the cargo.

Sir it is time the aviation sector is unionised.

Yours sincerely,
Frequent flyer