The Hindu : National : Government bracing for strike at airports

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Wednesday, Feb 01, 2006

National

National

Government bracing for strike at airports

Special Correspondent

There is no question of invoking ESMA against the AAI employees, says Praful Patel.

— PHOTO: PTI

DEMONSTRATION: Employees stage a dharna, blocking the entrance to the airport director's room, at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Dumdum in Kolkata on Tuesday, in protest against the Centre's airport privatisation policy.

NEW DELHI: Even as the airport employees announced their decision to go on an indefinite strike from Wednesday against the privatisation of the Delhi and Mumbai airports, the Government said it was taking all steps to ensure the safety of the working staff and passengers. The Centre is keeping a constant watch on the situation.

In a letter written to the State Chief Secretaries and the Directors-General of Police on Tuesday, Union Home Secretary V.K. Duggal said the Central Industrial Security Force had been fully sensitised with the situation. He emphasised the need for putting in place systems and arrangements to ensure that no disruption was caused at the airports in providing regular services.

Calling for full support to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) from the State Government, Mr. Duggal said it must be simultaneously ensured that law and order was under control and peace maintained through tactful handling of the situation. Staff willing to perform their duties must be ensured all logistical support and security.

The decision to go on the strike was taken at the meeting of the AAI Employees' Joint Forum on Tuesday night.

Replying to queries, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel told reporters that there was no question of invoking a provision such as ESMA against the AAI employees. However, he said the Government was making alternative and contingency plans to meet any eventuality. Earlier in the day, five major trade unions in a joint statement extended their support to the employees of the AAI in their "determined struggle" against the privatisation process and called for observing February 2 as "solidarity day" by organising demonstrations, and gate meetings across the country.

Cautioning the Government against any hasty move that could provoke a major confrontation between the employees and the Government, the trade unions — Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, INTUC, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, All India Trade Union Congress and the Hind Mazdoor Sabha — called on the workers to take note of the situation, and avert the biggest privatisation move by supporting the AAI workers.

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