Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is currently facing significant financial difficulties, with a monthly loss of 12 billion rupees and a total accumulated loss of over 740 billion rupees. Despite these challenges, the airline’s management has decided to provide bonuses to its employees as a way to acknowledge their performance from April to September 2023. This decision has drawn criticism due to PIA’s financial strain and operational issues.
Starting from October 1, 2023, the bonus plan is determined based on the 2022 bonus payments and varies between five to ten percent of employees’ salaries as of March 31, 2023. However, certain groups, such as employees who have received termination notices, recent hires, those who were promoted or had a salary increase between April 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023, and individuals facing disciplinary actions, are not eligible for this incentive.
Critics are expressing concerns about PIA’s financial management, especially when the airline is dealing with significant operational challenges, including a considerable number of grounded aircraft. Fawad Hasan, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Privatization, has pointed out that out of PIA’s 34 aircraft, only 19 are currently operational, emphasizing the strain on the airline.
The decision to provide bonuses in the midst of PIA’s precarious financial situation has raised doubts about the airline’s stability and its management’s ability to effectively navigate the ongoing financial hardships.
