GMR arm to absorb Delhi airport staff

Delhi International Airport (DIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Infrastructure, will absorb all general employees of Airports Authority of India (AAI), working at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi. There are over 2,300 general employees of AAI.

DIAL, which bagged the contract to modernise Delhi airport, is a joint venture company (JVC) comprising, GMR Group, AAI, Fraport AG, Malaysia Airport and IDF.

As per the 'Operation, Management and Development Agreement' (OMDA), signed with AAI, DIAL is to offer employment to a minimum of 60 per cent of AAI employees based at IGI Airport during the operation support period.

The terms of the offer should be no less attractive in terms of salary and position, than the existing terms of employment, according to the OMDA agreement.

As per the DIAL's new decision, all general employees AAI to be given two increments on their basic salary, in their current scale and a one-ime lump sum joining bonus to be given to AAI employees.

"The effect of revision of pay and allowances due from January 1, 2007 will be protected. All existing benefits, designation, welfare measures, general conditions and leave entitlement will remain same," a DIAL statement said.

It said the employees would be given an opportunity to upgrade their skills to meet the future challenges effectively by imparting extensive training.

The total outgo due to the 100 per cent absorption of employee will only be assessed after getting the number of workers opting for this offer, said a DIAL executive.

Business Standard got mixed response from the latest offer from GMR Infrastructure while most of them reacted as they are "examining the offer".

Airports Authority Employees Union All India General Secretary M K Ghosal said employees were governed under AAI Act and any changes the existing structure should be carried out after the consent of Parliament.

"We are not stopping any employees to accept the new offer. But they will doing that at their wisdom. We welcome the progressive attitude of the DIAL but if they are serious it should be under AAI Act," Ghosal said.

"Some of the employees have lot of inhibitions and apprehensions that in case DIAL was to offer and absorb 60 per cent of the employees on selection basis, what will happen to the rest of the employees. Further, the employees are also concerned about being posted outside Delhi after the support period which may impact their children's education and well-being of their aging parents," the statement said.

The attractive and fair offer would not only incentivise over employees to exercise their option but would also mitigate and eliminate the uncertainty in their minds and will address concerns about their future career with IGI, it added.