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Privatisation won't lead to job cuts, Biman MD says

By Special Correspondent
Bangladesh Biman is going ahead with a restructuring plan to offload its 49 per cent share but the privatisation will not lead to job cuts, rather protect employees' interests, its managing director says.
“There is no need for apprehension among Biman officials and employees regarding the restructuring.. After conversion into a company, the airline will be run profitably'and they will be paid as per international
standard". Air Commodore Rafiqul Islam said at a press briefing yesterday.
The Biman is being privatised under a two million dollar World Bank aided programme.
If there is any problem with any one in future due to privatisation. the employees or and officials concerned will be absorbed in Biman's subsidiary organisations, he said.
His comments came amid concerns voiced by trade unions
in the national airline.
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Consultancy. appointed for offloading its shares, made a preliminary assessment of the airline at a meeting with its management board on July 13. Uli Bauer, Vice-president of the organisation also spoke at the press briefing.
Bauer said. "Privatisation will mean Job security and profitability as it happened in the case of Sri Lankan Airlines where head counting increased after takeover of the management by the Emirates".
Bauer's organisation prepared the Sri Lankan Airlines' privatisation programme and its partnership with Emirates airline. After takeover of the management. Emirates changed the airlines from a loss making into a profitable one and increased its manpower. Bauer said.
“You have an unique geographical location and a captive market, which are attractive to investors", Bauer said about Biman's potential in finding a partner for offloading its shares. The investors would also like to expand the airline, he hoped.
Bauer said his organisation has so far been involved in privatisation of 20 airlines.
The Biman MD said the consultant will complete the pre-hininary work by December this year. Then, it will look for potential partners. offering them 40 per cent shares, keeping nine per cent for Bnnan employees and the rest lor (he government.
About Biman's plan to procure its sixth DC-10-30 and fourth Airbus 310 the MD said the need for more aircraft has arisen because Biman s share in the international market rose by three percent this year. Besides, more aircraft are needed to maintain schedules.
About plans to induct two Airbus 340 or Boeing 777. he said this is part of Biman s reorganisation programme to cope with future needs and replace vintage aircraft.
Meanwhile, Biman Employees Union General Secretary Be-lal Hossain told newsmen yesterday that they were not consulted regarding the privatisation programme, which he feared, would lead to loss of a large number of jobs A meeting of all trade unions in the airline have been convened at the Biman head office today to discuss the situation, he said.
But the Biman MD said there were exchange of opinions' with officials and employees on the Issue. There will be another meeting with them on Monday.