Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, lauding the Air India crew involved in rescuing stranded Indians in Italy, its employees have implored the government to re-think the proposed privatisation of the national carrier. The government had set in motion the process of disinvestment in the 'Maharajah' two months ago, though the last date for submitting bids, originally set for last week, has now been postponed.
Air India had, on Sunday, operated a special flight and safely brought back 263 Indians stranded at Rome's Fiumicino airport for days following the COVID-19 outbreak. Earlier, the national carrier had run a similar operation to bring back Indian students trapped in China's Wuhan city, ground zero to the present pandemic.
Pointing this out, patron of the Air India Employees Union Nitin Mhatre said, “Time and time again Air India has proved that it is the only Airline which will always run for help when the country needs it in time of distress. No other airline with its entertainment equipped planes and fancy air hostesses are willing to put their lives on the line when the country calls for duty....This is one of the reasons the national carrier should be in public sector and not a private company.”
While announcing privatisation in January, the government had assured the employees that their interests will be protected, including putting it down in the agreement with the eventual buyer. But with COVID-19 crippling the global aviation sector, AI management has already warned staff that they are in for pay cuts. “In the wake of recent global developments and the serious impact of COVID-19 pandemic...there is an insurmountable dip in the revenue which calls for stringent measures to reduced our costs,” according to a company order.
Following expressions of support from many employees to his social media post, Mhatre told THE WEEK, “There is a good response from many (employees). Air India should not be privatised.”
