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Title: Problems being faced by the casual labourers of Airports in India.
DR. K.S. MANOJ (ALLEPPEY): Sir, I would like to draw the attention of the Government to the injustice being faced by the casual labourers who are working under Air India Ltd. at Kochi International Airport. Airlines industry is a very booming industry now and most of the airports in India, including the Kochi International Airport, are making huge profits from this industry. In all these Airports, ground handling works are done by the casual labourers. They are also engaged for connected works as Passenger Assistant, Security Assistant, Cargo Assistant loading and unloading cargo and baggage from flights, office assistant, helpers etc. and other works as a casual employee is of permanent nature.
There are 165 casual employees in the Kochi International Airport. All these employees are either the displaced land owners of Kochi Airport Project, or children of the employee of Air India. Some of them have been appointed through Employment Exchange also. Most of these workers have been working in the Kochi International Airport since the inception of the Kochi International Airport in 1999. So far these workers have not been regularised. Still they are treated as casual employees. They are not extended statutory benefits including weekly off, overtime wages, leave benefits, provident fund, bonus etc. These matters were brought before the Management through their Association. The Management had not cared to settle the issue. They had not even cared to present before the labour authorities for a settlement. Instead of approaching the matter with an open mind, the Management had taken a retaliatory measure and started harassing the members of the trade union. So, I urge upon the Government to kindly intervene in the matter and issue necessary directions to resolve the genuine demand of the workers and give justice to these casual labourers.