300 IA contract employees on strike, demand pay hike

New Delhi: Several international passenger and cargo flights were delayed on Monday as over 300 security assistants, employed on contractual basis by Indian Airlines, went on strike at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
While questioning the very existence of the company they have signed a contract with — Indian Airlines Limited Airport Services Limited (IAL-ASL) — the on-strike employees allege that there has been no revision in their pay of Rs 5,500 for the last five years, no provision for provident fund and no medical facilities or any claims to injury or death while on duty.
“We have no identity cards issued despite working at the airport for five years now. Several international airlines refuse to allow us (to conduct) the safety procedures in the absence of valid identity cards,” said Sunil Kumar, one of the protesters.
The employees, who have been wearing black ribbons since May 20 as a mark of protest, allege they have been issued security passes by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) for entry into the airport, which terms them as employees of Air India.
“We don’t even know who we are employed with. Many of our men were injured while on duty, but none of them was given any medical assistance. Salaries are deducted for any leave we need to take despite presenting medical reasons and all the requisite certificates,” said Jeet Singh, president of the IA-ASL Employees Union.
02/06/09 Indian Express

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Categories: Air India Domestic Jun 2009, Airports Jun 2009, NACIL Jun 2009