By Kemo Kanyi
Staff of the Gambia International Airlines (GIA) are reportedly unhappy with working conditions of the company as it fails to meet the basic expectations of the employees.
On Thursday, some staff members of the GIA made their frustration known to the senior management of the company over what they described as preferential treatment of NIRO over the Gambia International Airlines.
The GIA is the national carrier for The Gambia established in 1996 to provide ground handling and air related transport services to all carriers operating at Banjul International Airport. It seeks to become one of the most efficient and profitable airlines by operating and maintaining safe, reliable, and profitable international air transport services. It is to provide economic and efficient domestic and international air services through scheduled passenger, mail and cargo operations.
When The Voice contacted the President of the GIA staff Association, Omar Jako, he clarified that they were not on any sit-down strike for now, adding that they were discussing some matters relating to their work at the airport.
“We are not on strike. We are in off season and we deem it necessary to meet and discuss some internal matters before the season commences to address challenges of the past season. I cannot disclose everything to you,” Mr. Jako told The Voice on Thursday during telephone conversation.
The paper also reached out to one of the employees of the GIA who linked the problem of the staff to the operation of a competing company in the ground handling and other related work of the Gambia International Airlines, stating that NIRO company is treated well than the GIA, and most flights are now opting for NIRO instead of GIA. She alleges that senior government officials are shareholders of NIRO Company, citing conflict of interest in treatment.
“We are planning to embark on a strike action soon. NIRO has taken majority of our flights. We have very limited flights to attend now. We go to work and sit without doing anything. Senior government officials are shareholders in NIRO. This is the reason why our flights are now taken over by this company. That is a huge loss to the country’s revenue generation,” the employee who sought anonymity told The Voice.
The Niro Handling Company specialized in ground handling and inflight catering. The company also claims to combine efficiency, safety, and local expertise to support airlines and private flights.