Sacked Jet employees get back to work

New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) Jet Airways employees whose services were terminated will soon be given official letters asking them to rejoin the airline, a company official said here Friday.

'The employees have been asked to return to work from today (Friday). They will soon also be given official letters asking them to rejoin,' a Jet Airways official said.

Company chief Naresh Goyal had Thursday night profusely apologised for sacking them and asked them to return to work Friday.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said: 'I welcome the move. I'm happy that people have got back their jobs. I had spoken to Mr. Goyal last night (Thursday night) on this issue. I'm glad that they have reversed their decision.'

An employee, who held a demonstration at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) along with 54 others after being sacked, said he was happy with Goyal's decision.

'I will continue to work with dedication for the airline. I don't mind working at a lower salary as long as the future is secure,' he said.

Jet had sacked some 850 employees after its mega alliance with Kingfisher Airlines and had said it could dismiss another 1,100-odd in a cost-cutting move.

All the sacked employees - cabin crew, pilots, ground staff, airport services and management department - were either probationers or had served for less than six months.

The move had led to a massive outcry by the sacked employees in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.

However, on Thursday night, Goyal decided to take back all the employees.

'I request all of you to start work from tomorrow morning. We will stand by all our employees,' Goyal said at a press conference in Mumbai.

'I could not see tears in the eyes of my employees, could not sleep when I saw what happened,' he added.

Goyal refused to comment on the number of employees who had been sacked, saying whatever the number, all of them would be reinstated.

'The financial woes faced by my company due to poor aviation business led to the termination of these employees. I have not spoken to anyone from the management. Cost cutting has to be done but we will stand by our employees. My management might not like it but I have taken the decision from my conscience,' the Jet Airways chief said.