Employees complain against wage-cuts by GMR

Some employees at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) have expressed deep concern over wage-cuts with the new contract offered by GMR, the Indian multi-national giant managing the Airport.

An employee who has worked at the Airport for four years told Sun Online today that GMR had cut several allowances when their contracts were renewed last month. He also said that all employees suffered cuts varying between the figures MVR 500-1000. He said that food allowance and attendance allowance were among those removed from the pay-slip.

“Previously, we had a basic salary of MVR 3600 with a number of allowances. With the allowances, we got a take-home-pay of around MVR 11500. However, now they have cut down all the allowances and fixed a basic salary of just 6000”, the same employee said.

He also said that the new contract has a validity period of lifetime, and that the contract does not make any distinctions between newly recruited employees and senior staff who had served for years. He also said that GMR had previously pledged to raise salaries with the new contract.

“However, that is not what they did. They promised to raise the salary, but did exactly the opposite”, he said.

Two other employees of INIA also spoke to Sun in similar terms. They also said that with several allowances being removed, they got less than their previous monthly salaries.

None of the employees wish to reveal their names, due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Andrew Harrison, the CEO at INIA, told today that “there is a cut on the pay of each employee, and it has been done according to a new contract to which all the staff gave their assent to”.

“For instance, employees have themselves signed to pay insurance premium on their own. However, compared to their previous contracts their salaries would not be a penny less”, said Andrew.

Andrew also said that the staff would get their pay slip tomorrow, and that they would then see the details of their pay. He also said that the staff would all have the opportunity to file any complaints about the salaries.

“It is probably too soon to guess, it is better to wait until they get salary slips on Sunday. When they get it tomorrow, we will ratify any mistakes on our part”, said Andrew.

Andrew also assured that GMR did not have any intentions to treat the employees poorly and that the company would always seek to treat its employees as best as it could.

“We are already paying a portion of the salaries in US Dollars, for those who want it so, and we are doing other such things for the employees. Why should we do so if we are not concerned about their welfare”, Andrew asked.

GMR renewed the contracts of some 1500 employees of the company as the previous contracts would expire by the end of November. Andrew also said that contracts had been renewed in accordance with the contract between the Maldivian Government and the company.

Most of the employees currently working at GMR were previously the staff of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and Island Aviation.