Support for Garuda pilots

Support for Garuda pilots

From Koran Tempo

We have learned from recent media reports that the negotiations on a collective labor agreement -- including a deal on remuneration -- between the Garuda Pilots' Association and the management of Garuda, the Indonesian flag-carrier, have come to a deadlock, with the Garuda pilots, consequently, threatening to stage a sit-in.

Given that Garuda flies internationally, I support the demands made by the pilots so as to ensure that they are paid based on international standards and treated on a par with pilots in other countries in terms of rights and dignity.

We should heed the human factor concept under which certain occupations are highly paid because of the degree of risk shouldered by the people involved. The three most highly paid are divers, miners and pilots.

Why do people in these professions earn the higher pay compared with those in other professions? Divers, miners and pilots have to work in situations in which the oxygen level is very low and over the years this adversely affects the body. Besides, any slight negligence or unpreparedness will endanger their lives (as well as those around them).

It is only proper that pilots are properly appreciated for their work. In the United States and in other countries where civil society is well established, a pilot is a hero and an honored member of society. He carries people safely from one place to another in a relatively short time. It may still be a long time before such a way of thinking becomes established in Indonesia.

I believe Garuda can afford to properly pay its pilots and other employees provided that the company is properly run in accordance with international airline business norms. Financial leakages and corruption must be completely eradicated from this company so that its profits will not go into the pockets of a few people only but will instead be utilized to pay the company's employees properly and fund its development. In turn, the company will certainly rake in bigger profits.

Hopefully, the Garuda pilots will inspire the entire country to struggle together for the establishment of a civil society and for the rooting out of corruption.

ZURRIATI FITRIA

Jakarta