Pakistan enforces ESMA, PIA staff set to go on strike

Pakistan on Tuesday enforced Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against PIA as the employees of the ailing national carrier announced an indefinite strike from tomorrow following the failure of talks with the government on the proposed privatisation move.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approved the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act 1952 for six months, barring protesting members of the Pakistan International Airlines from participating in any union activity. Under the act the government suspended all union activities in the national airline. The law essentially restricts union activity in state-administered sectors, including railways, postal services, telephone and affiliated services, and airports and seaports.

Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, talking to reporters after the enforcement of the Act, said that strict action will be taken against protesting employees. However, the Joint Action Committee of different trade unions in the airline announced an indefinite strike from tomorrow until the government reversed its decision to privatise the loss-making national carrier. Rashid said the airline was facing monthly deficits and losses of 30 billion rupees and the government had decided to put things right.

He said arrangements had been made for essential back up staff so that flight operations were not disrupted internationally or domestically.