The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has accused Turkish Airlines of ‘illegally’ terminating the jobs of some of its Nigerian staff without following due process.

NUATE’s President, Ben Nnabue, in his May Day address in Lagos to commemorate the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, obtained by The Guardian yesterday, condemned the airline’s arbitrary termination of its members, describing the action as a violation of Nigerian labour laws and international conventions.

Nnabue insisted that the affected employees were dismissed without a fair hearing or adequate compensation, leaving many in prolonged hardship amid ongoing litigation in the last six years.

In his address to the union’s members, Nnabue demanded immediate reinstatement or payment of full negotiated entitlements of the affected workers, despite the ongoing litigation on the issue.

The union also called on the relevant authorities to investigate the airline and sanction it if found wanting in its actions against Nigerian workers.

He said: “We condemn the arbitrary termination of Nigerian staff by Turkish Airlines without due process, fair hearing, or adequate compensation. This violates Nigerian labour law, the applicable Conditions of Service, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions.

“No foreign carrier should earn billions from the Nigerian market while discarding our citizens. NUATE demands immediate reinstatement or payment of full negotiated entitlements, notwithstanding ongoing litigation that has prolonged our members’ hardship.

“We urge the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to investigate and sanction this impunity.”

Nnabue insisted that the continued operation of any airline accused of violating workers’ rights sends a dangerous signal within the industry.

He explained that persistent violations of labour laws, particularly by foreign operators, could undermine industrial harmony and threaten safety standards.

NUATE maintained that the right to fair treatment and due process is non-negotiable, regardless of the employer’s nationality.

He warned that failure of the government to act decisively could embolden other operators to sidestep established labour protections.

The union in March disrupted the airline’s operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, over the sack of seven Nigerian staff for union-related activities.

According to the union, Turkish Airlines had dismissed union members in 2020. The union claimed that the dismissed staff members had not yet received their benefits six years after their service with the airline was terminated, thereby causing significant concern among workers.