(a) the total number of people employed by Air India as on the date of its privatisation;
(b) whether the Government proposes to protect retirement benefits of the employees due for retirement after 2022;
(c) the detailed breakdown of the benefits that would be protected;
(d) the service and retirement benefits that would be discontinued; and
(e) the details of other measures taken by the Government for the protection of the employees for privatisation?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))
(a): The total number of employees in Air India as on 1.12.2021 is 11,295 which includes 3,941 Fixed Term Contractual Employees.
(b) to (e): Interests of the employees have been duly taken care of by the Government and incorporated in the Share Purchase Agreement signed with the qualified bidder on 25.10.2021.
In accordance with the applicable laws, the qualified bidder, post disinvestment, shall continue to provide Gratuity benefits and PF benefits to the employees. The arrangement with the employees and Life Insurance Corporation of India for administrating the existing Air India and Indian Airlines employee''s Self Contributory Superannuation Pension Fund Trust will continue. Further, with regard to the medical benefits, they are to be made available to the retired and eligible retiring AI beneficiaries by the Government.