Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon yesterday asked Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd to make its casual staff members permanent for more efficient operation of the national flag carrier.
“Casual staffers of many state owned organizations have already become permanent. If other organizations can do it, why not Biman? I am asking Biman authorities to take steps in this regard. If necessary, we will provide all support from the ministry,” he said.
The minister made the directive while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting, organized by Biman Sramik League marking the Independence Day at Balaka Bhaban at Kurmitola here.
Menon also instructed the Biman authorities to implement the new pay scale for employees immediately after the government declaration.
He urged Biman authorities, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and Biman workers body to sit together for resolving the ground handling issue.
Noting that Biman is doing well now, the minister asked the Biman workers for increasing the quality of ground handling to get rid of complaints from foreign airlines as well as passengers in this regard.
The minister said the previous unpleasant relations between the Biman workers body and the authorities are not existing now due to steps taken by the government. “The relationship between the authorities and workers must improve further in the greater interest of the national flag carrier,” he said.
He said, the present government has taken a number of measures including procuring new aircraft and modernizing the management of the airlines for turning Biman into a profitable one.
Referring to the current political situation and upcoming city corporation elections, Menon said it is good to see that BNP is going to participate in the polls. “But, we have to be vigilant so that BNP can’t flee the scene of elections by showing excuses,” he said.
Presided over by Biman Sramik League President Md Moshiqur Rahman, the discussion was also addressed by Labour Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Habibur Rahman Siraj, Jatiya Sramik League president Alhaj Sukkur Mahmud, executive president Fazlul Haque Monto, general secretary Sirajul Islam and acting Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd M M Mosaddek Ahmed.
The national flag carrier has returned to its profit track earning Taka 271.44 crore in six months to January this year.
