Pilots Dismiss KQ Plan To Layoff Workers

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) has dismissed a plan by Kenya Airways to lay off staff terming it a waste of resources.

The association noted that the move was uncalled for as the airline is in its advanced stage of been nationalized with an expectation that there will be a quick recovery of the entire aviation sector in the next two years.

The pilots said that the government’s initiative to nationalize the airline is a move to not only retain employees but also create employment and opportunities.

In a communication to employees, Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka said the airline has started a rationalization process that it expects to complete by September 30 this year.
He added that some employees would be required to proceed on unpaid leave.

“It is highly inadvisable and inconsiderate to give staff a three-day notice of unpaid leave, the same workforce having been on 35 percent pay for the last three months,”  argued Murithi Nyagah, General Secretary and CEO KAPA.

“This is against government wish to employers to protect jobs as much as possible,” he added.

Since the cessation of flights in March, KALPA members together with other KQ staff agreed to a 75 percent reduction in salary to cushion the airline from declined revenue streams which were mostly dependent on cargo operations and repatriation flights.

As per KQ letter to the association, KALPA says the airline indicated that it will be able to cover the airline cost fully, including the already reduced salaries, and such would want a majority of staff to proceed on unpaid leave.

“How is it that an organization which has been struggling to cover direct costs, including reduced salaries since April, now claim to be planning an expensive and costly staff rationalization exercise?” questioned Nyagah.
The carrier on Friday 3 July 7, 2020, wrote to its employees informing them that the company would over the coming months undertake a “rightsizing exercise” to enable it to steer through the tough times.

The airline will however retain workers who will continue operating cargo flights as well as domestic flights, which it expects to restart operating soon.
On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta came to the aid of the aviation sector opening domestic travel for airlines beginning July 15.
International air travel will begin on August 1 offering another opportunity for airlines to rescue their businesses battered by the Corona Virus pandemic.