KARACHI, March 30: The PIA Cabin Crew Solidarity Front held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the problems being faced by the cabin crew of the national carrier.

Dr Farooq Sattar of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Mirza Ikhtiyar Baig of the SITE Association, Akhter Hussain of the Sindh Bar Association and Front leaders – Malka Shah, Qazi Mustaqeem, Ashraf Ballo and Shamim Ahmed – were among the speakers.

The speakers demanded an inquiry against the PIA chairman in the purchase of Boeing 777.

The Front leaders said that the Federal Aviation Authority and International Civil Aviation Organization described the cabin crew as “safety professional” on board. They said the duty timings for both the categories of crew (cabin and cockpit) should be the same as most of the leading safety-oriented airlines practise it. They said that the outstation layover allowance was drastically curtailed a few years ago. However, they added, it was not being restored although the airline showed profit.

The speakers alleged that the management was constantly blackmailing the female cabin crew and harassing the male crew to stop them raising voice against the injustices. They demanded that the experienced female cabin crew should not be considered retired as they have to handle different situations ranging from emergency landings, ditching, medical emergencies, child briths, hijackings and bomb threats.

They also deplored that the crew was being compelled to stay at substandard hotels against the standard practice of other international airlines of PIA stature.

The speakers pointed out that even on long haul flights basic amenities such as clean pillows, blankets and unused earphones were not being provided, resulting in altercation between crew and the passengers. They deplored that favourtism and nepotism were on the rise and lucrative international layover flights were given to the favourites only.