Cochin International Airport Ltd entity wants Oommen Chandy to end strike

KOCHI: The ground handling entity in Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has sought the intervention of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and regional labour commissioner to end the ongoing strike by the workers.

Khullar Hospitality Pvt Ltd (KHPL), which has leased the ground handling services from Air India, said that it was ready to increase the wages of the workers to reasonable level.

In a letter to Mr. Chandy, Mr Gaurav Khullar, CMD of KHPL said that the company has been paying much above the minimum wages for the employees.

“We are also committed to ensuring a harmonious relationship with our employees to ensure best services at the airport and willing to accommodate their concerns as long as they are reasonable”, he said.

Mr. Khullar also pointed out that the employees in the name of unionised bargaining had been extracting in-built overtime without doing any extra work and without actually handling the flights from the inception of the contract.

“We had no option but to succumb to their illegitimate demands just to fulfil our contractual obligations”, he said. Mr. Khullar also said that despite providing them with safety shoes and uniform, employees don't wear them leading to deductions and penalty.

“The employees have also unilaterally decided to attend only four flights - two each for arrival and departure - in their duty time of eight hours. They do not attend to additional flights unless paid additional overtime. They also coerce the management against employing new staff to ensure their overtime,” he added.

The workers of the ground handling agency have been on strike since last Monday seeking increase in the wages. The workers are also demanding an end to the inordinate delay in payments.