ARIK Air on Friday announced the sack of its 300 workers saying it is due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on its operations.
A statement signed by Adebanji Ola, Arik entitled: “Arik Air management declares 300 staff redundant,” stated that a redundancy package would be provided for the affected workers.
“Arising from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the constrained ability of the airline to complete heavy maintenance activities and return its planes to operations, stunted revenues against increasing operational costs, the management of Arik Air (In Receivership) has declared 300 staff members redundant to its current level of operations.
“The leadership of the impacted unions has been contacted to negotiate a redundancy package for the affected staff.”
“Decisions to let go of staff is naturally a difficult decision. Arik Air wishes the impacted staff well in their future endeavors,” the airline said, adding that over 50 per cent of Arik Air’s workforce of over 1,600 staff has been on furlough in the past six months on a base allowance.
While aviation sector is one of the most hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the federal government had in an effort to save jobs stated that it had reached an agreement with airline operators and unions in the sector not to lay off workers.
One of the terms of agreement towards this direction was the granting of a N27 billion bailout to airlines.
Efforts to reach aviation unions for their reaction failed as they did not respond to text messages sent to them as at press time.
