Airworks uses copter incident as excuse to do away with Rs 4 crore dues: Workers Union

Mumbai: In response to the incident where pebbles were discovered in the chopper of industrialist Anil Ambani, Air Works Engineering Private Limited (AWEPL) has stopped 52 of its workers from entering their premises till the matter is solved. The action came after the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) and the Airport police pointed out the involvement of insiders and lax security. However, the restrained workers found it difficult to digest the action as it was taken a day after ADAG had approached the Mumbai crime branch.
On the evening of April 24, AWEPL issued letters to 52 out of 180 of its employees asking them not to report to work till further intimation. "Due to the April 22 incident that took place within the premises of Airworks hangar, we prohibit 52 suspected employees from entering the premises due to security reasons," reads the letter. The prohibited employees include helpers, drivers and carpenters.
Protesting against the order, disheartened employees held a dharna near gate number 8 at old airport, Kalina. "This incident has given an excuse to the AWEPL management to wash away their hands off the Rs4 crore dues they are supposed to pay us," says Arjun B Jadav, president, Maharashtra General Kamgar Mahasangh and employees union of the AWEPL workers.
"For the last 10 years we have been fighting for our dues in the labour court.The management had appealed in the Mumbai high court and lost. Still they are not giving us our dues and have now come up with such tricks to harass us. If they do not retract their orders we will go and meet Anil Ambani," he said.
26/04/09 Naveeta Singh/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Airports Apr 2009, Indian Aviation- In General Apr 2009, Safety Apr 2009