The Delhi High Court will rule on Friday on a series of requests by Air India in response to a single judge’s order, which instructs the restoration of the positions of more than 40 permanent and contract pilots whose services were terminated last year due to a post-Covid business slowdown. -Cause lockup.
On June 1, the sole judge revoked Air India’s decision to terminate the service of several pilots and refused to accept its resignation.
The court has stated that the replacement wages, including allowances, must be equal to the wages received by serving pilots and comply with government regulations.
The dismissed pilots initially filed a petition with the court in July last year, asking Air India to accept the withdrawal of their request for resignation.
Some pilots initially resigned because of the delayed payment of wages and allowances by Air India.
On August 13, 2020, Air India issued a termination letter to several pilots, including those who wanted to withdraw their resignation, and the pilots subsequently appealed to the High Court. Air India challenged the order of a single judge, arguing that once the pilot resigned, the legal employer-employee relationship was terminated and his resignation was irrevocable.
Tushar Mehta, the deputy attorney-general representing Air India, argued that under applicable laws, the national airline does not need to formally accept the resignation, and the six-month notice period after resignation is only to avoid any difficulties for passengers.
Air India, which was recently sold to Tatas, earlier mentioned financial restrictions and the impact of Covid-19 on the company’s business operations in order to terminate before a single judge.
The judges of the Chamber of Judges Rajiv Shakdher and Talwant Singh have retained their orders on October 29 and will pronounce their verdicts on Friday.
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
