IndiGo has initiated disciplinary action against aircraft maintenance technicians who took a collective five-day sick leave to protest inadequate pay. According to sources, the airline has requested that the technicians concerned come to see the airline doctor with any appropriate medical records so that the carrier can confirm whether they were indeed ill or not. In an email from IndiGo to one of these technicians who took sick leave on July 10, it was said that such absence without prior notice affects the operations of the airline.
It mentioned, “Therefore… you are directed to immediately visit the doctors of our company along with necessary medical documents to substantiate your medical condition.”
When PTI sought comment from the airline on the situation, they did not respond. The email advised that the technician should make an immediate appointment with the corporate doctor, as the airline has been unable to contact him.
If he does not make an appointment, the airline will conclude that he is “voluntarily staying away from work and behaving fairly”.
Following extensive sick leave, IndiGo on July 11 said it would “rationalise” the compensation of its aircraft maintenance personnel. According to internal communication, IndiGo also said that it will eliminate “discrepancies caused by the pandemic”.
On July 2, a large section of IndiGo’s cabin crew members took sick leave, causing about 55% delay in the airline’s domestic flights. According to sources, he had allegedly attended a recruitment program of Air India.
According to reports, on July 2, about 55% of IndiGo’s domestic flights were delayed, as a large part of its cabin crew staff took sick leave, possibly to participate in the Air India recruitment drive. When the COVID-19 pandemic was at its worst, IndiGo had drastically cut salaries of a significant portion of its employees.
There has been a churn in the aviation business as a result of the employment processes being launched by new carrier Akasa Air, redesigned Jet Airways and Tata Group-owned Air India.
(with PTI inputs)
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