KARACHI, Oct 5: The PIA Cabin Crew Solidarity Front has termed the increase in cabin crew allowances no more than an eyewash, saying that they the crew are being paid only $3.45 cents, in violation of the bilateral agreement under which they were to be paid $4.25.

The Front, in its emergency meeting held on Friday, pointed out that the present management, after reducing the amount to $3.0, had increased it only to $4.45, which was still far less than the agreed amount.

Besides, the Front said in a statement, the management had also abolished the slip at JED and overnight stay in NYC, which had minimised the effect of the increase. It further said that by increasing the duty time the management had completely overlooked the stress of cross-Atlantic flying, Jet leg and time zones.

The meeting pointed out that allowances of a GM were more than the over-all salary of a cabin crew.

Reiterating the demand to equate the flying time of the cockpit crew and the cabin crew, the meeting urged the management to honour the bilateral agreement.