New NAIA Infra probes alleged unfair treatment of baggage porters

New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), announced on Sunday that it was investigating reports of unfair treatment of baggage porters at the country’s primary gateway.

According to NNIC, the baggage porters are employed by a third-party provider, whose contract was last renewed by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) in 2022 and remains valid for three years.

“These porters are not directly employed by NNIC, but we take these complaints seriously,” NNIC stated in an email on Sunday.

“As the airport operator, we have a responsibility to maintain standards and ensure that all service providers treat their employees fairly, respect their rights, and comply with labor laws,” it added.

The statement came after complaints surfaced regarding the service provider managing baggage porterage and retrieval operations at the airport.

“As NAIA’s operator, we are committed to creating a workplace that reflects our vision of a modern and efficient airport. This includes fostering an environment where personnel and travelers alike benefit from fairness, respect, professionalism, and accountability,” the NNIC said.

NNIC also reported it expected 2.296 million passengers to pass through NAIA between December 20, 2024, and January 3, 2025, marking a 10.95% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

The NNIC consortium, composed of San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc., and Incheon International Airport Corp., officially assumed control of NAIA on September 14, 2024. — DVM, GMA Integrated News