Aviation workers have announced plans for a nationwide strike on August 21, 2024.

This action is in response to the Federal Government’s ongoing policy of deducting 50 percent from the internally generated revenue (IGR) of key aviation agencies.

The announcement was made in a letter dated August 14, 2024, by the unions representing the staff of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Services Agency (NiMet), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The letter, titled “Save Aviation From Collapse,” was shared with the media on Thursday.

The unions are protesting the financial strain imposed on these agencies by the government’s revenue deduction policy, which they argue threatens the operational capacity and safety of the aviation sector.

The agencies affected by the deductions are crucial for the management and safety of air travel in Nigeria.

“All workers of the affected agencies, joined by the solidarity of all aviation workers, are hereby directed to embark on peaceful protests at all airports nationwide on August 21, 2024,” the letter stated.

The unions are demanding an end to the 50 percent deduction and highlighting that the agencies are cost-recovery entities, not profit-making organizations. They assert that sustaining operations under these financial constraints is untenable.

The unions have raised concerns that the financial strain is already compromising critical safety activities within the agencies.

They warned that if the financial pressures persist, the industry could become dysfunctional, which would impact not only domestic but also international flight operations.

Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, expressed concerns about the potential impact of the strike.

He cautioned that a strike could severely disrupt airport operations and service providers, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays.

Achimugu acknowledged the unions’ notice of the protest and expressed hope that discussions between the aviation minister and the unions would address their concerns before the strike date.

Nnadi Hector, Forum Secretary of the Joint Aviation Trade Unions Forum, emphasized that the protest aims to draw the government’s attention to the detrimental effects of the revenue deductions.

Hector clarified that the strike is not directed against President Bola Tinubu but rather a measure to highlight the sector’s urgent need for financial stability.

“The protest is meant to bring the government’s attention to how these deductions are affecting the safety and functionality of our aviation sector,” Hector said.

He reiterated that aviation is a global sector regulated by international standards and that maintaining operational standards is essential for Nigeria’s credibility in the global aviation industry.

Indian and Nigerian nationals have emerged as the top contributors to job market growth between 2019 and 2023, surpassing British workers in numbers.

This development is highlighted in recent data released by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), reflecting significant changes in the country’s workforce composition following Brexit.

According to the data, Indian nationals experienced the most substantial employment growth, with an increase of 487,900 positions.

Nigerian workers followed closely, adding 278,700 jobs during the same period. In contrast, employment among UK nationals saw a more modest rise of 257,000 jobs.

This surge in employment for Indian and Nigerian nationals coincides with a marked decline in job numbers for European Union (EU) nationals, who saw a decrease of 241,600 positions.

This shift underscores the broader impact of the UK’s post-Brexit migration policies, which have reshaped the labor market by tightening immigration rules and altering the composition of the workforce.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS), which remains the largest employer in the country, reflects this trend.

Data from a recent report, obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, ranks Nigeria among the top five countries with the highest number of NHS employees.

Approximately 10,494 Nigerians are currently employed by the NHS, placing them just behind Poland, which has 10,520 health workers.

The shift in employment patterns highlights the effectiveness of the new migration system introduced in January 2021.

Tory MP Neil O’Brien, who requested the data, commented on the “extraordinary changes” observed in the workforce.

He noted that the figures illustrate the significant impact of post-Brexit immigration reforms on the UK job market.

The broader employment statistics reveal that, overall, 1.481 million new jobs were created during this period, with 1.465 million of these filled by non-EU nationals.

This reflects a substantial shift away from reliance on EU labor, aligning with the UK government’s efforts to diversify its workforce sources and adapt to the new migration landscape.

The rise in employment for Indian and Nigerian nationals signifies a dynamic transformation within the UK’s labor market, with these groups now playing a pivotal role in driving job market growth.

As the country continues to navigate the post-Brexit era, these trends underscore the evolving nature of its workforce and the significant contributions of international labor.

The ongoing adjustments in immigration policies and workforce composition are expected to further influence employment patterns in the coming years, shaping the future landscape of the UK job market.