Question : WELFARE SCHEMES FOR LABOURERS

(a) whether social security schemes have been launched for labourers working at different airports in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) the number of labourers working in public sector airlines including Air India alongwith the amount of wages given to them, category-wise;

(d) whether the ex-employees of these airlines are availing benefits such as medical facilities, leaves etc.;

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(f) the details of the number of such employees and their tenure in Air India and Indian Airlines before and after the merger alongwith the steps taken by the Government to improve the condition of labourers/casual workers?

MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS & MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)

(a) & (b): No schemes specific for labourers working at different airports have been launched. However, the social security schemes of Government of India are applicable to such labourers.

(c): On an average, 1514 Casual Labourers are engaged on a day-to-day basis in Air India (erstwhile Indian Airlines). The rates of daily wages given to them are as follows: (i) Casual Helper - Rs.235/; (ii) Casual Driver - Rs.275/; (iii) Electrician/Welder/Carpenter - Rs.300/; (iv) Office Staff (Typist/Steno) - Rs.325/. As far as erstwhile Air India is concerned, there are 487 Casual Labourers engaged on a daily wages of Rs. 235/.

(d) & (e): Ex-employees of Air India (erstwhile Indian Airlines) covered by Retired Employees Medical Scheme and their families covered under the Retired employees Contributory Family Medical Scheme are entitled to medical facilities. The ex-employees are not employees of the Company and hence, the question of leaves in their case, does not arise.

(f): The length of engagement of Casual Workers varies between 7 to 30 years depending upon the basis of their engagement, e.g. various orders passed by Courts, etc. While majority of these Casual Workers have been engaged for short durations, however, some of them have been working continuously for a long time as a result of Court Orders. In erstwhile Air India, the length of engagement of Casual Workers varies between 13 years to 30 years.