With salaries of about 23000 Jet Airways’ employees having been delayed for months now, the Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots (SWIP) and Jet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Welfare Association (JAMEWA) have written to the President and the Prime Minister of India to direct the Jet Airways management to clear all outstanding salary dues.
The unions have requested that some emergency funds be arranged at the earliest to save the situation. The 1200 members of SWIP and 500 members members of JAMEWA have reasoned that the closing down of such a large airline will affect many associated businesses and the sales at the shops in the airport, in addition to depriving Jet employees of livelihood. With the suspension of operations of Jet, passengers are already facing the brunt.
Earlier, following the suspension of operations, the employees had come together in Delhi to discuss ways to bring the 26-year old airline back to life.
At one point, the employees had even considered taking over the management of the Airline but had to drop the idea because of differences of opinion. However, the employees have shared that they are willing to cooperate with any new investor in order to revive the ailing Airline.
Lenders have been inviting bids to sell stake in the airline, and they seem to be rather hopeful of success.