Air India staff fear job loss over 'Disinvestment move'; unions carry protest to social media

Messages and graphics with 'Save Air India' slogan are being posted on various social media platforms.

Representational Image: Photo: Pixabay

While the government is busy in searching a suitable buyer for selling Air India parts, however, the national-carrier has spoken out loud about their opinions against disinvestment move, which is why, the airline's unions representing more than 10,000 employees carried a protest on social media like Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook worried over possible job losses. Many companies have shown interest for purchasing this state-run behemoth airline. However, what is very crucial is to decide the exact valuation for selling Air India, which has its roots in India that go as far back as 1932. Also, it needs to be noted that, Air India is key factor for the government to achieve its disinvestment target.

According to a PTI report, messages and graphics with 'Save Air India' slogan are being posted on various social media platforms. People are also being urged through WhatsApp messages to raise their voice against the strategic disinvestment of the national carrier.

The centre has invited expression of interest (EoI) from companies globally. To select best bidder for Air India, where the government can minimise the losses, it may be seeking to relax the deadline for submitting an EOI to buy 76% in Air India. However, the structure of bid remains unchanged for both international and domestic businesses.

In March month, it was revealed that, Air India delayed the payment of salaries for the month of March and is yet to tell the employees about reasons for the delay. The airline has over 21,000 employees, including more than 11,000 on permanent rolls.

Following such development, Air India management and many employees unions fear that the jobs of employees serving the airline may go into jeopardy.

Therefore, reportedly a joint forum of 11 Air India employees unions, those involving from various subsidiaries, have chosen social media as their platform to convey across their concerns to the larger public, policy makers and elected representatives about the stake sale proposal.

Apart from this, the unions and staffs have carried the protest during lunch hour meetings and wearing badges.

In June last year, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sanctioned a in-principle approval for disinvestment of Air India. The airline is at the cusp of bring privatised on the back of it's heavy debt, continuous losses and low market share when compared to private airlines.

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