The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Jet airways episode

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Monday, Oct 20, 2008
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Jet airways episode

This refers to the reinstatement of 1900 employees of Jet Airways a day after they were sacked. While it is true that the sacked employees deserved all sympathy, it is unfortunate that they took the help of MNS leader Raj Thackeray to fight their cause. Their move showed that they were not averse to using the services of a leader whose parochial agenda was well known for protecting their interests.

Rangayyan M. Rakshith,

Mumbai

* * *

The report that the sacked-and-reinstated Jet Airways employees met Mr. Thackeray to thank him for his intervention makes sad reading. Their gesture exposes the hypocrisy of a section of our upper and middle classes that pretends to be progressive but is not really so. The fact that in their anxiety to get an immediate solution for their problem, the employees did not mind seeking the help of a leader like Mr. Thackeray is unfortunate.

Nirmala Asokan,

Cuddalore

* * *

The Jet Airways episode exposes the dilemma which many industrial sectors face. While on the one hand, our industries are encouraged to follow the best global practices to increase productivity, on the other, they are not given a free hand to conduct business in the manner they want.

The issue is whether the service conditions of the sacked staff had a provision for the termination of their services. If yes, any third-party interference in the matter was unwarranted.

V. Harine,

Chennai

* * *

Many companies hire and fire their employees as they like. Most of them start projects without a proper evaluation. Unsuspecting youngsters join private companies for high salaries. The companies keep them on long periods of probation, utilising their skills without confirming their employment. The government should keep a tab on the recruitment and removal of employees in private companies. Only those registered in the employment exchange should be hired, be it on contract basis or a permanent basis.

T. Sri Kumar,

Hyderabad

* * *

The airline industry has been operating in an extremely unfriendly business environment thanks to high ATF prices, airport and navigation charges, and taxes. It is time the government realised that air travel is not a luxury any more and that air transport is an essential part of the broader infrastructure that helps move products and people faster in a growing economy. A bailout plan should focus on rationalising ATF prices, and reducing taxes and other charges.

Anand Muralidharan,

Bangalore

* * *

Jet Airways dismissed 1,900 employees and the news made headlines. There were protests and the employees were reinstated, which was heartening. But nothing like this happened when employees of an Italian company in Greater Noida were dismissed. We did not even know about their dismissal till the CEO of the company was beaten to death by the employees. Was their trauma any less than that of the Jet Airways staff? Or did they lose out in the ‘news worthiness’ stakes against the young, urban and polished airline employees? Had the events followed a similar sequence then, would not the CEO’s life been spared?

Arnab Basak,

New Delhi

* * *

Air India’s proposal to offer three-five years of leave without pay to staff on non-operational duties is, no doubt, a bitter medicine for those at the receiving end.

But business sagacity demands that a private or public sector organisation follow austerity measures to remain in business. It cannot put up with the paucity of demand for its goods and services, and financial losses for a protracted period.

S. Ramakrishnasayee,

Ranipet

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