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We employed 130, not ten Nigerians, Emirates tells Senate
Emirates Airlines said contrary to claim by Senate President, Bukola Saraki that the airline only employed ten Nigerians, the carrier said it has 130 Nigerians across the Emirates Group of which over 60 are employed in Nigeria.
The Management of the airline in a statement on Sunday said Emirates’ operation also supports many more jobs in Nigeria’s aviation services supply chain such as in ground handling and catering, and brings broader benefits to the Nigerian economy by supporting tourism and trade.
It noted that the carrier prides itself on its diversity and employs staff from more than 170 countries around the world and connects people from all backgrounds across our international network.
The carrier said it welcomes applications from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for available vacancies from all nationalities, including Nigerian nationals.
Saraki has revealed that the upper house of legislature will investigate why a foreign airliner operating in the country employed only 10 Nigerians.
In a statement shared via series of tweets late last week Friday, Saraki noted that the action of the company Emirates Airlines was unfair to Nigerians. He however vowed to ensure that the anomaly is corrected as soon as possible.
Saraki said: “Today, I learnt that there are only 10 Nigerians employed in the entire Emirates Airlines workforce that operates in our country.
“I gathered that in countries like Kenya, Emirates Airlines employs close to 1000 Kenyans in their workforce.
“Considering the size of Nigeria and its market — I would have expected more. Foreign airlines and companies need to hire more Nigerians.
“I am sure that at the time Emirates Airlines started their route, we did not get a good deal for our people. It is time to look into this.”
Saraki noted that not only Emirates will get probed over this, so would other foreign companies operating in Nigeria and are not employing enough Nigerians.
The former Kwara state governor vowed: “The Senate will work to ensure that foreign entities operating in the country hire more Nigerians. This is important for our domestic growth
“I wish the Senate Aviation Committee Chairman a speedy recovery. Once he’s back there is work to do to address this airline employment issue.
“It is important to address why only 10 Nigerian air host/hostesses work for Emirates. Companies operating in Nigeria must employ Nigerians.
“I encourage everyone out there with information that can help better the plight of Nigerians to let us know.”
