By KASONDE  KASONDE –
UNIONISED workers of the National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL) have been awarded a 20 per cent salary increment across the board.
Airways and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (AAWUZA) general secretary Neddy Banda said the workers had been awarded a salary increment of 20 per cent across the board, following successful salary negotiations.
Mr Banda said in an interview yesterday that the salary increments would help cushion the workers from economic difficulties in the country.
“As AAWUZA, we are happy with the salary increment which would go a long way in mitigating the many economic challenges that the country is facing at the moment and will also encourage our workers to work hard,” Mr Banda said.
Mr Banda said the union was happy with development projects that were taking place in the airports across the country as this helped increase job opportunities.
He said upgrading of airports in the country such as the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka would attract top-class airlines due to improved infrastructure, and the same applied to the planned new airport to be built in Ndola.
Mr Banda said President Edgar Lungu’s decision to defer the launch of the national airline and not cancel the projects was welcome, especially that the economic situation was not conducive at the moment.
“An expansion of airport infrastructure in the country not only creates employment for the citizens but would also attract top-class airlines which will add impetus to economic growth,” Mr Banda said.
He said the AAWUZA was ready to partner with the Government to address challenges affecting the aviation industry.