Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur feel the heat; over 100 sacked; Bangalore next
Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur feel the heat; over 100 sacked; Bangalore next
In yet another move to streamline its growing costs, Jet Airways has decided to close down its crew base stations in Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, apart from issuing the pink slip to 100-odd crewmembers.
In a termination notice to employees serving at these centres, Jet Airways has announced a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh that would include the Rs 55,000 that employees had to pay to the airline during their training. These employees will continue to serve till May 31.u00a0
A senior Jet Airways official informed that the airline planned to further streamline operations and centralise its system. "Crew stations in cities like Bangalore will be closed down and operations will be centrally operated from Mumbai and Delhi," he said. Officials revealed that the cabin crew based in Bangalore has been offered relocation to Chennai or any other Indian base.u00a0u00a0
When contacted, a Jet Airways spokesperson said, "As additional measures to streamline costs, the airline has issued notices of termination to cabin crew on probation identified, in accordance with the terms of their contracts and in compliance with the law."
The airline has also decided against further renewing contracts of crewmembers. "The airline has issued notices of termination to identified employees on contract, who have superannuated," the spokesperson said.u00a0
The airline also said it was sharing the name and contact details of crewmembers desirous of seeking employment with other carriers currently recruiting experienced crew.
"The carriers will be requested to contact the interested crew directly," the airline spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, employees alleged that their salaries for April were yet to paid. "The company has sent an email to all its employees, stating that the salaries will be given to the employees in the next week instead of May 1," a senior pilot said. Jet Airways has more than 13,000 employees.
In view of mounting losses, a few other airlines too delayed salaries for April. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) is facing trouble over payment of dues from Kingfisher. "Though the Kingfisher Airlines (KA) issued a cheque of Rs 77 crore to AAI to clear part of its dues, it bounced. Two more cheques of Rs 27 and 15 crore from Kingfisher will encashed before May 10," an AAI official said.
