RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) for its employees, including pilots and engineers, and asked them to apply for it till Dec 22.

A PIA spokesman said on Monday that the VSS package had been prepared for employees in two categories: those with over 18 years of service and below.

He said the package compensation included accumulated leaves, gratuity, provident fund, lump sum medical and pension up to the age of 65 years. Different basic pay formula has been devised as per salary break-up and service years of employees, including pilots and engineers.

The interested employees can submit the VSS application form given separately along with signed VSS package report to the concerned coordinators assigned at facilitation desks established at each station. Last date for the submission of application is Dec 22.

All regular employees under 58 years as on Nov 30, 2020, are eligible to participate in the scheme. Non-eligible employees include non-regular and or contractual employees, employees who have already submitted resignation, those who have already opted for early retirements, employees under any litigation against the PIA until they undertake and withdraw the litigation latest by Dec 31.

The last working day of the VSS accepted employees shall be Dec 31 whereas the expected date of receiving payout cheques shall be on or before January 31.

“The VSS package is part of PIA’s restructuring. We are trying to adhere to restructuring of the airline which will benefit workers.” The spokesman said under the scheme, the approval of an application will take 14 days.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2020