NUATE decries casualization of workers  … holds 2026 Post May Day Conference in Owerri 

By Donatus Ihejirika

 Comrade Ben Nnabue made the call while addressing representatives of the workforce at this year’s Post May Day conference holding at the Sky Rose Hotel, Owerri, Imo State.

Comrade Ben explained that the conference is designed specifically to keep workers in the aviation industry abreast of the present realities of the challenges of artificial intelligence with a view to putting them in the better perspective of its adverse effects of  and other technological developments.

He urged all workers in the sector to upskill especially now machines are replacing workers in organizations. While harping on the need for increased productivity in the industry, comrade Nnabue enjoined  the labour leaders to encourage harmonious working relationships with the managements of the Airports but warned that such relationship must not be at the detriment of workers.

He admonished workers to take their work seriously, adding that the union would not shield any worker found culpable of dereliction of duty or gross indiscipline.

 The veteran union leader who decried casualization of workers in the aviation industry and the refusal of  domestic Airlines operators to allow workers to form or belong to trade unions of their choice, commended organizations that sponsored their workers to the conference and emphasized the importance of social partnership and security of aviation workers and passengers.

Declaring open the three-day conference which centered on “Globalization, Multi-national Corporations and Workers’ Rights in Nigeria: The aviation industry”, the special guest of honour and Provost of Benjamin Uwajomogu State College of Education, Ihitte-Uboma, Dr. Mrs. Chinyere Nwachukwu, described the theme of the conference as most appropriate, coming at a time people have turned to the sector as the safest means of transportation following challenges associated with traveling by roads in Nigeria.

Dr. Mrs. Nwachukwu said that globalization has transformed the economies, industries and labour systems across the world while multi national corporations have contributed significantly to technological developments, investment opportunities and economic growth of the aviation sector adding that they have raised critical concerns about workers welfare, labour rights, remunerations, work safety and social justice.

 According to her, the realities demand constructive dialogue, collaborative engagement and lasting solutions at the level of protecting workers while promoting industrial productivity and economic competitiveness. She described the aviation workers as the backbone, life-wire and engine room of  the strategic global economy whose rights and welfare depend largely on the sincerity and dedication of the social partners.

The conference featured presentation of lectures by prominent scholars selected from tertiary institutions in Nigeria. In his lecture on the first day titled “The Role of Multi national Corporations in Aviation Development”, Prof. Sam Ezeanyika, a professor of political and social economy in the department of political science,Imo State University, Owerri, said multi national corporations which are not charitable organizations, have contributed greatly in shaping the growth, modernization and sustainability of the aviation industry with international operational networks, large capital base and profit-oriented investment strategies.

Prof. Ezeanyika stated that the aviation industry which is one of the most globalized sectors of modern economy depends heavily on multi national corporations for Aircraft acquisition and maintenance, engineering services, management systems, aviation technologies, aviation safety and cyber security infrastructure. He argued that despite their invaluable contributions to aviation development, multi national corporations are associated with negative effects such as exploitation of labour, capital flight and profit repatriation, abuse of workers rights and threat to indigenous Airlines.

The second incisive lecture which focused on “Union Leadership, Character, Core Values and Attainment of Union Objectives” was delivered by Dr.Emerole Walter Ginikanwa of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia. Dr. Emerole who said that leadership is all about service and shared prosperity opined that good leadership inspires trust, loyalty, competence building and attainment of objectives and charged the union leaders to lead by example and shun acts capable of eroding the confidence reposed in them by their members.

On the second day, two lectures titled “Workers Rights and Labour Standards in Nigeria’s Aviation Industry” by Prof. Maurice Nwabueze Obasi of Faculty of Law, Imo State University and “Globalization and Nigeria Aviation Industry: The Impact of globalization on Air Transport in Nigeria” by Dr. Emerole Walter Ginikanwa of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Umuahia were presented. While the former lecture dealt on workers right to unionize as enshrined in section 40 of the 1999 constitution, local and international laws, the later centered on the impact of globalization. There were questions, answers and contributions to each of the lectures.

The facilitator of the conference, High Chief Chioma Orjiako PhD, disclosed that the essence of the conference is to acquaint workers in the aviation industry with the basic knowledge about the positive and negative effects of Artificial Intelligence, globalization and Multi nation’s Corporations.

High Chief Orjiako posited that workers should be protected against exploitation and displacement. Some of the delegates including comrade Olukoya Tolulope of Lagos Station and comrade Dashe Yusuf of Kano Airport, expressed gratitude to the leadership of NUATE and the organizers for the enlightenment and promised to share their experiences and ideas. About 70 delegates from the six geo-political zones of Nigeria are in attendance.

A communique is expected to be issued at the end of the conference.