On stir, cargo, security staff pinch DIAL

New Delhi: The Delhi airport — held ransom for the last six days by 1,500 loaders on strike — is on the threshold of a serious security crisis.
Loaders working at the cargo complex are also joined by 500 security guards employed by the Delhi International Airport Private Ltd or DIAL, demanding higher wages and other facilities. It is estimated that cargo agents and airlines are losing up to Rs 2.25 crore a day because of this.
Meanwhile, the DIAL — in a knee-jerk reaction — has hired substitute workers who are allowed within the high-security areas without a permanent pass. This pass is issued by the security firm hired by DIAL after thorough verification of the employees. However, substitute workers have been issued temporary passes which are ideally valid for only two hours. But these permits have been extended randomly, airport officials said. Another added, “The present contractor is unaware of the address or the background of these workers. They have been arbitrarily picked.” It can be mentioned here that DIAL leases out the loading job to private contractors.
DIAL officers are however defensive about the issue. A spokesperson said, “These are temporary workers who have been hired to fill in for those who are on strike.” The tension at the cargo complex escalated on Tuesday evening when the police detained over 200 workers at the Mahipal Pur Police Station. But President of the Contact Majdoor Union, Rajendra Prasad Sharma was defiant. “We are going to continue with the strike,” he said.
14/05/08 Sobhana K/Expressindia.com

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports May 2008, Cargo May 2008