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| Yellow fever: Jet Airways employees outside Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's office yesterday. Story on Page 4. Pic/NARENDRA DANGIYA |
"I underwent eye surgery, since the airlines wouldn't allow me to fly with my spectacles on. There is also the loan that I took for my training that needs to be repaid," said Monica. Apart from being the only breadwinner in her family of three, Monica has an outstanding loan of over Rs 3 lakh due for repayment.
For those like Monica, age is also an important factor. "With younger crew being preferred, this is a big worry for me," she said.
As MiD DAY found out, 90 per cent of the 850-odd crewmembers being laid off have huge educational and home loans to repay, families to support and dreams to fulfill.
A 24-year-old probationary cabin crewmember with Jet, who did not wish to be named, collapsed at the reporting gate in Andheri yesterday morning, when she was told that her services were no longer required. Like Monica, who was flying for about four months, there are hundreds of others. "I had already cleared the check-flight. I was expecting to be on the rolls in a few weeks," said Rekha M. "I had already been with Kingfisher for over two years and quite experienced at that. This is the worst they could have done to me," she added.
Sarah Gonsalves (22) has decided to weigh her options out in other industries now. With a loan of Rs 1.2 lakh for a course in MBA (Human Resources) she never wants to go to work as cabin crew. She said, "I was with Paramount Airlines and joined Jet in February. They already knew they had excess crew long before they recruited us. They kept saying that they would expand and the HR went on blindly recruiting without having enough training centres or instructors."
Rohit Sharma (20), originally from Shimla, who lives in Powai on rent, may soon be moving out. "I have not yet received my termination letter. But when I called the Jet Airways office they told me I was laid off," said Sharma, who also has a loan against his name.
Dhanraj Menon (21) is not just worried about being sacked, but also about the poor compensation being offered. "We will get only two months basic pay as compensation," Menon said. Menon, who lost his father recently, has to take care of his ailing mother and grandparents.
Kanishka Bose (26) joined Jet Airways in November, with seven years of experience. "I quit Emirates to join Jet. This is the worst thing they could have done," he said.
HR heads say
The Jet Airways HR could have handled the situation better. They should have given them at least a month's notice.
Rita Verma, GM, Leadership, Learning and Change, Mudra Communications
The management should handle terminations gracefully and also keep in mind their impact. They should also consider the morale of the people still employed with them.
Adil Mallya, group president, HR, Essar Group
800more lay offs today(200 pilots, 200 ground staff and 400 cabin crew)
