28.09.05
Indian authorities have drawn up emergency plans to deal with a one-day strike called by more than 1 million workers - including some airport employees - for this Thursday. The strikes are a protest against the communist-backed government coalition's economic policies.
An Airports Authority of India (AAI) spokesman said today it had sought the help of the Indian Air Force and the Navy and other government agencies to ensure that it is able maintain normal operations. 'Some vital sections of airport employees such as air traffic controllers have said they will not join. So it will not affect the functioning of airports,' he said.
India's civil aviation secretary, Ajay Prasad, told a news conference that safety measures would be in place for flights at all the 78 airports with facilities for commercial flights. 'With the alternative arrangements that have been made passengers should not face any difficulties. There will be no disruption in air traffic management services,' he said.
Officials at major airlines said they do not anticipate major disruptions. State international carrier Air India said all its flights would operate normally, except for two London Heathrow bound flights from Mumbai and New Delhi, for which alternate arrangements have been made.
A spokesman for domestic carrier Indian Airlines said most activities were handled by its own staff, so its flights would be on schedule. Private carriers Jet Airways and Air Sahara have cancelled all flights to and from the eastern Indian city of Kolkata. Jet may also combine some flights. A spokesman for SpiceJet said the airline envisaged no problems.
A leader of the Airports Authority of India Employees Union said the vast majority of airport workers would heed the strike call. 'You can imagine the impact when 20,000 out of the 22,000 workers go on strike, he said.
Employees are protesting against what they say are anti-worker economic policies such as privatization, allowing foreign direct investment in pension and other key sectors.
The government wants to allow foreign investments of up to 26% in the pension sector. India also aims to set up two joint ventures to hold leases to operate the Mumbai and New Delhi airports and is offering 74% stakes in them. Foreign firms can hold up to 49%, while private Indian companies must have at least 25%. The government is examining 6 bids for Mumbai Airport and 5 bids for New Delhi Airport.
