Luanda – Staff members of the National Air Navigation Company (ENNA-EP) began an indefinite strike since midnight Wednesday, 04, of the current month.
This is all due to an alleged general dissatisfaction of the workers presented on 23 May 2022 to the ENNA – EP Board of Directors, through a complaint book.
According to the National Independent Union of Aircraft and Airport Workers (SNITAA), the decision was made during the workers’ assembly which was held on 28 December 2022.
The union understands that this is a way to ensure a satisfactory response to the points claimed.
“The strike covers all categories of operational areas of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance Services (CNS), Aeronautical Information Services (AIS), as well as technical, administrative and management support services of ENNA at a national level”, states the document
For this effect, the union submitted a Strike Declaration to ENNA – EP in order to inform the Air Navigation Company that the strike aims to “stop the work that is normally done, as a way to ensure the satisfaction of legitimate claims contained in the Collective Complaint Book, relating to social, working and economic conditions of workers”.
Regarding the issue, the ENNA – EP Board of Directors considers unfounded the information in the Strike Declaration, since the negotiation process between the parties took place under the mediation of the General Labour Inspectorate (IGT) and resulted in an agreement signed on 11 August 2022, which is being complied with.
ENNA – EP Board of Directors adds as well that on 01 November 2022, the SNITAA Board requested by letter the immediate resumption of the negotiations for a five days period after their document being submitted and if not they would declare a strike action.
In response, ENNA – EP invited SNITAA for a review meeting on the degree of compliance with the agreement which did not take place, because the members of the union refused to meet with a group of directors mandated by the ENNA – EP Board of Directors, as they consider that the mandated persons allegedly lack the competence to do so.
“However, it is important to highlight that, although the Declaration of Strike does not meet the assumptions established by law, the Board of Directors of ENNA – EP appeals for common sense, as it has always favoured dialogue and has shown interest in seeing the problems of its employees solved”, says a statement from the institution.
The National Air Navigation Company (ENNA – EP) is an Angolan public company, created by Decree No. 206/19 of 01 July 2019, following the process of splitting up the National Company for the Operation of Airports and Air Navigation (ENANA-EP).
ENNA – EP results from the need to create a public company with the vocation and experience acquired to ensure the public service of support to navigation in the airspace of the Republic of Angola.
It is also responsible for the development, installation, management and operation of air navigation services and infrastructure, as well as other infrastructure related to navigation, route and airspace support systems within the Flight Information Region (RIV), as well as to carry out studies, planning, construction and development of new systems and infrastructures to support air navigation, and coordinate support services for domestic and international air traffic.
Source: Angola Press News Agency