NEDUMBASSERY: The Kochi International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has taken a unique initiative which will benefit the employees working on a contract basis under various agencies in the airport. They have been ensured that they will get their wages and other facilities as provided in the statutory rules.
The CIAL management has directed the agencies operating in Kochi airport on contract basis to follow the statutory rules with regard to the salary of employees, Employees Provident Fund, Group Insurance and other allowances and perks as per the government guidelines, if not it will be considered a violation of the contract agreement signed by them with CIAL.
Several agencies which operate in Kochi airport on a contract basis employ hundreds of people in various sections such as loading, housekeeping, cabin cleaning, security, ground handling, traffic, cargo, duty-free shops, etc. Allegedly many workers are denied of their rights, including salary and perks, as the employers hesitate to follow the guidelines. A good number of workers were appointed as a part of the rehabilitation package when they surrendered their land for the airport construction. The workers had to slog day and night for a pittance. Job-security is another major concern of the employees. The requests of the workers had fallen on deaf ears so far. So, some of the workers and their unions brought this to the notice of CIAL and urged the management to intervene.
The CIAL Managing Director who decided to put an end to this exploitation convened an emergency meeting of the representatives of the agencies operating in the airport. CIAL Executive Directors R Venkiteswaran and A M Shabir and Airport Director A C K Nair were present. The representatives from G4 Security Services, S and S Multi Commercial Private Ltd, In-care Housekeeping Private Ltd, Global Airport and Ground Services Private Ltd, Naipunya Charitable Trust, Air India, BWFS and their sub-agencies participated.
The CIAL management insisted that the agencies follow the rules strictly. The agencies were also directed to submit a detailed report on the number of employees, their salary, ESI, EPF, gratuity and other particulars to CIAL management before the 15th of every month.
The agencies were told that the CIAL would release the payment to them as per the contract agreement only after scrutiny of the statements submitted by them. The payment would be withheld if any discrepancies were noted in the statements.
The decision taken at the meeting was accepted by the agencies of CIAL and sub agencies of Air India and BWFS. This will be a milestone in the history of CIAL in protecting the rights of the employees working under contract.