Opposing the move of privatization of airports, Airport Authority of India announced a hunger strike on Wednesday across the country. The Centre had decided to privatize six aerodromes for operations, management, and development purpose through public-private partnership (PPP) model in cities such as Jaipur, Mangaluru, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, and Guwahati.
AAI employees union are protesting under a joint forum and Clerk, Operational, Electrical, Finance, Airport Fire Service, Engineering and Officers Association of AAI. Everyone is supporting the hunger strike against the privatization of airports.
Balraj Singh Ahlawat, General Secretary of Airport Authority of Employees Union (AAEU) said, “We called hunger strike today to send our message to the government to stop privatization of airports because all airports currently under AAI are making profit business and we are capable to handle the airport in a professional manner. We have the support of the joint forum and all AAI employees supported us and we urge the government to roll back the decision on privatization of airports.”
It has been reported that the joint forum of AAI unions and other associations will continue to hold their protest for the next three days till September 27.
All India president, Indian Airports Kamgar Union (IAKU), Harendra Tiwary said that they had appealed to the government many times and that too through various channels, but no one is doing anything to address their issues. The employees have been angered with the decision of privatization of airports. As quoted by ANI, he said, “We are here to pan India hunger strike against the government’s decision. If government will not listen to our voice, we are going to unite and call convention in Delhi on November 15, with other Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) like Banks, Coal, Steel, Port – Dockyard, Oil, Insurance Sectors who are currently facing the same kind of situation and will move towards Jan Andolan.”
According to the confirmed sources, the Union government has also announced to privatize 20-25 more airports in the coming phase.