The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Holding Company has presented a new proposal to retired employees in a bid to resolve disputes over post-privatization benefits, but talks stalled over the issue of medical coverage, ARY News reported on Monday, citing sources.
A high-level meeting in Islamabad brought together officials from the PIA Holding Company, Privatization Commission, State Life Insurance, and representatives of retired staff to discuss pension and healthcare arrangements after privatization.
The company offered to outsource medical benefits to State Life Insurance, but retirees’ representatives refused to proceed without a formal written proposal. With no consensus on healthcare, the government has pushed the PIA privatization bidding timeline from October 30 to November 17.
Pension matters were also reviewed, and officials of the Holding Company sought more time to present a revised pension plan in the next meeting.
Meanwhile, major unions — People’s Unity, Air League and SASA — voiced strong objections to being excluded from the negotiations. In a letter to PIA management, Shamim Akmal, president of the PML-N–aligned Air League, criticized the participation of what he called “non-representative groups” and warned that any alteration to retirees’ medical rights would be unacceptable and could jeopardize the welfare of former staff.
It seems that government is waiting for next elections to avoid taking any unpopular decision about PUA but this delay can cause huge financial loss to the country.
What are talking about,Sir. Is there an election in this country. There is always selection through form 47. So your theory doesn’t stand .
Process of PIA privatisation will be completed in present govt tenure & all hurdles related to employees benefits including retirement pensions medical facilities will be resolved in the best interest of County privatisation policy
What is “best interest of the country” means just dumping and denying the rights of the people who had joined into a State’s owned national flag carrier under clear terms of the employment contact with all inclusive benefits? It’s a binding contract between employees and State and must be handled under legally.
No elections for next 10 years
Benifits of Medical, Pension, Travel facilities must be ensured for retired employees who have served airline with distinction.
Privatization of PIA:- it is not first time, but factually Govt. Of Pakistan through PIA management have tried number of time for the privatization but could not sucessed. Unpopular, inefficient and selected Govt. will bring it to scrapped like Pak.steel mill. Nobody will own PIA in its present state. So better take appropriate actions, improve its credibility and operate like a private airline with no Govt. Interference.
Medical for PIA retired employees and their pension is reward of their contribution for national airline. It should be in most benificial of retirees.
Almost every retiree whether from the Armed Forces Judiciary Civil Service other services get pensions and other perks like security guards servants free petrol etc.. why not retirees from.the PIA….are they children of a lesser God ?
Medical facility for retired employees
is a very important must provide in a proper manners along with other facilities as per rules and regulations
Of PIA for retired employees of the corporation.
This is an ongoing farce..