Airport employees defer strike due to security concerns

New Delhi, Aug 16 (UNI) Airport employees have deferred their countrywide protest this week against privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports in view of heightened security threat perception.

''When the country is facing a serious security situation, we have decided to defer our agitation from Thursday,'' said Airports Authority Employees Union (AAEU) general secretary M.K. Ghoshal.

The AAEU had called for a 36-hour mass casual leave by AAI employees all over the country from August 17 to protest against privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports.

Mr Ghoshal said the tripartite committee comprising representatives of the AAI, civil aviation ministry and AAI Employees Joint Forum had a meeting recently where its terms of reference were finalised.

One of the major concerns of AAI employees is about their job security in case they do not join the private companies-led joint venture firms to modernise both the airports.

The indications given by the ministry at the meeting were that such employees will enjoy continuation of service with AAI, said Mr Ghoshal. The major issue of modernising other airports by the AAI is also part of the terms of reference.

''Keeping all these things in mind as well as the security issue, we have decided to put off the agitation,'' he added.

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