Virgin Atlantic: Reps Summon Aviation Minister, Stakeholders Over Lay-offs

SAN FRANCISCO, November 27, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives on Thursday, summoned the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, to explain the sacking of Nigerians working for Virgin Atlantic airline.

The House directed the minister and relevant stakeholders to appear before its committee on Labour and Productivity within the next 48 hours to resolve the issue amicably.

The resolution of the House followed a motion under matters of urgent public importance, sponsored by the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, which was unanimously adopted by members.

While moving the motion, Gbajabiamila recalled a motion that was earlier brought before the House to stop the said retrenchment which was referred to the committee on Aviation.

“The laws of this country must be respected, I pray that the Minister of Aviation appears before the committee on Labour and Productivity with the relevant stakeholders,” Gbajabiamila said.

In his comment, the Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Leo Ogor, said that the matter was already being attended by the Committeee on Aviation, urging that it should not be debated.

The Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, however, overruled Ogor.

He said, 'the motion gave the committee of Labour and Productivity a fresh mandate to look into the matter.

Dogara added that the issue of unemployment should not be treated with levity, adding that it had become a huge problem to the country.