Ghana International Airlines lays off 140 workers

The board of Ghana International Airlines Limited (GIAL) has asked 140 workers of the national carrier to stay at home pending a discussion of their fate with their union leaders.

A statement from the Information Ministry, said to have been issued by the board and signed by Albert Botchway, Board Chairman and “on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Ghana International Airlines Limited”, said the decision follows a review of the operations of the Company and its financial standing.

The statement explained that a small number of staff necessary to keep the Company running would be maintained, especially as it seeks the assistance of government to repatriate and also refund payments to almost 9,000 GIAL ticket holders.

GIAL has since its inception been unable to sustain its operations and continues to grapple with numerous operational challenges, the statement noted. The decision of the Board, it explains, is to avoid the present situation where workers are facing numerous challenges including delay in salary payments.

According to the Board, GIAL currently does not need the one hundred and sixty personnel on its payroll because the Company is not fully operational and cannot pay the staff.

The statement thanked the staff for their patience, explaining that the Board is working out all the necessary processes including notifying the Chief Labour Officer and engaging with the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) on the welfare of the staff.