Beginning Monday, the Airport Authority Employees Union (AAEU) is set
to launch a 10-day protest against the privatization of Sardar
Vallabhbhai International Airport. More than 150 employees under AAEU
will stage protest every day during lunch hour without affecting the
operations of the airport.
From September 9, the employees began wearing black badge at work to mark their disagreement with the proposal of privatization. Two weeks ago, AAEU had written a letter to chief minister Narendra Modi demanding immediate intervention and stopping the proposed action of privatization by the Central government.
The employees will also submit a memorandum to the airport director stating their demands against privatization. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to hand over the operations, management and development of the six Airports Authority of India (AAI)-run airports - Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Guwahati - to private parties on a public-private partnership basis.
The employees believe that privatization will not only increase the cost of services at airport but will also be a threat to their jobs. "The government has given 'mini ratna' status to AAI and now they are giving the controls to private players," said AAEU official. Many AAI workers are also afraid that they might lose their job. "In 2006, when the government had gone for privatization of Delhi and Mumbai airports, we had protested all over the country and then PM Manmohan Singh promised that no more airports will be privatized. And now the government is turning back away from their promise," said another employee.
TOI had earlier reported that privatization will affect air travellers. The cost of services, airport development fee and user development fee will increase at least by 20 to 50 % and this in turn will increase the cost of flying.
Protests planned
Candle march - October 21
Relay hunger strike - October 22-25
Gherao at all the six airports - October 28- 31
(Six airports - Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Guwahati)
Source : The Times Of India
From September 9, the employees began wearing black badge at work to mark their disagreement with the proposal of privatization. Two weeks ago, AAEU had written a letter to chief minister Narendra Modi demanding immediate intervention and stopping the proposed action of privatization by the Central government.
The employees will also submit a memorandum to the airport director stating their demands against privatization. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to hand over the operations, management and development of the six Airports Authority of India (AAI)-run airports - Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Guwahati - to private parties on a public-private partnership basis.
The employees believe that privatization will not only increase the cost of services at airport but will also be a threat to their jobs. "The government has given 'mini ratna' status to AAI and now they are giving the controls to private players," said AAEU official. Many AAI workers are also afraid that they might lose their job. "In 2006, when the government had gone for privatization of Delhi and Mumbai airports, we had protested all over the country and then PM Manmohan Singh promised that no more airports will be privatized. And now the government is turning back away from their promise," said another employee.
TOI had earlier reported that privatization will affect air travellers. The cost of services, airport development fee and user development fee will increase at least by 20 to 50 % and this in turn will increase the cost of flying.
Protests planned
Candle march - October 21
Relay hunger strike - October 22-25
Gherao at all the six airports - October 28- 31
(Six airports - Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Guwahati)
Source : The Times Of India
