Indigo loaders go on strike for salary hike

VASCO: Around 107 loaders working with Indigo Airlines went on strike for a hike in their salary on Monday. The agitation will continue on Tuesday as talks between the management and loaders did not materialise.

According to information, the loaders are contracted by J P Aviation Private Limited and provide their services to around 16 flights operated by Indigo Airlines, which is the highest number of flight operations by any airline company providing services to and from Goa airport.

After handling the first Indigo flight in the morning, the loaders made a common representation, giving the contractor 10 days to increase their salary to Rs 13,000 from the present Rs 8,000 per month. 

“We were working for a consolidated salary of Rs 8,000 since the last six years. As we were facing hardships to fulfil our daily needs with such low salary, we decided to issue a notice to the contractor with the demand to increase the salary within ten days, failing which we will go on strike. However, paying no heed to our notice and to insult us, the contractor tore down the notice and asked us to leave if we cannot work with the given salary,” said a loader.

This angered the loaders, who then went on a flash strike. The contractor and Indigo officials tried to convince them to call off their agitation, but they refused to comply and reiterated their demand for a salary hike. 

Some loaders even alleged that the contractor had harassed the loaders many times threatening to bring loaders from outside the State if they demanded for an increase in salary. The said that for overtime of four hours, the company pays them only Rs 60, which is very little.

Meanwhile, due to the loaders' strike, the operations of Indigo Airlines were badly hit. According to sources, the airline staffs somehow managed to handle the flight operations, including loading and unloading of baggage. However, their trouble will continue even on Tuesday as the loaders will continue their strike to get their demand fulfilled. Sources also informed that the loaders are trying to seek intervention of political leaders to resolve the issue.

When contacted for their version, Indigo officials as well as officials from J P Aviation refused to comment.