Central labour dept examines pay conditions of AIESL technicians

Nagpur: The Central Labour Department has shifted its focus to the pay conditions of technicians engaged by Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), a public sector company whose workers are on strike to protest the alleged denial of relieving letters to some colleagues who resigned."The issue is expected to be resolved soon, but larger matters like low wages need to be looked into too," an official said.AIESL has an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) depot in Nagpur and five other centres. Technicians are on strike at all centres.Inputs received by the office of the deputy labour commissioner here indicate that technicians at AIESL's Nagpur MRO draw salaries of around Rs25,000 to Rs27,000. Earlier, wages were lower and were increased only after protests a few years ago."Other organisations engaged in aircraft maintenance, including some airlines, pay as much as Rs40,000 for the same level," the official said, adding that technicians here reach around Rs40,000 only after a few years."Those who are quitting can easily get double the wages. One of them has also been offered an upgradation course by the new company, which would immediately take his salary into five figures," a technician said."Four technicians resigned in Nagpur. Two completed their notice period, and formalities to terminate their services are expected to begin soon. The other two will complete their notice period in the first week of June, after which they may be relieved as well. Issues such as payment of bond amounts before quitting may also be examined," sources said.The Nagpur MRO is among the first units set up in the MIHAN-SEZ. Built by US aircraft maker Boeing and later handed over to AIESL for operations, it has been one of the city's most publicised projects, often cited as a sign of development.# 2 aircraft take off, Boeing 777 arrives at AIESL Nagpur MROThe AIESL MRO in Nagpur received a Boeing 777 for maintenance on Monday. Two aircraft that were held up in the hangar after the strike flew out last week after work was completed. Even as work continues at the MRO, striking technicians have alleged that the management has engaged third-party workers and brought in retired employees.