NEW DELHI, Nov 27: The government on Wednesday said
interests of employees of the state-owned carrier Air India
would be protected and there would be no job loss till its
privatisation.
Replying to a supplementary question in Rajya Sabha,
Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri also said that
the government would secure a fair deal for all of its
employees.
He also rejected recent reports suggesting that several
pilots of Air India are leaving the airline as their salaries
were not being paid on time.
“Air India pilots are very well looked after and their
salaries in relation to what other air carriers are offering
is very good,” said Puri.
He further said, “In so far, resignations are concerned,
I have not heard of any single case where anybody has
resigned”.
The minister’s reply came on a supplementary question by
BJP MP Kirori Lal Meena that Air India pilots and other
staff members are leaving the company as they are not getting
salaries on time.
Puri said 25 per cent salaries of various employees were
withheld when Air India was in financial crisis.
“There is full intention that before the privatisation or
disinvestment is completed, this 25 per cent would be
reimbursed to all employees in all segments,” he said.
The minister also assured that there would be no job loss
in Air India till privatisation.
“Issues being related to current employees, their health
cover, how many would remain and what would happen, we are
committed to secure a favourable deal for all employees. I
would go to that extent,” he said.
However, the minister said, “Your airlines would have to
be closed down, unless not privatised.”
The minister’s reply came on issues raised by AITC
member Shantanu Sen. (PTI)
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