Air India pilots launch 'go-slow' protest, flights delayed

The Labour Ministry in an order on Thursday had excluded airline commanders from the workmen category

As many as 11 Air India flights, including eight from Mumbai, were delayed after a section of its commanders announced a 'go-slow' to protest their exclusion from workmen category, sources said.

The development comes a day after the government announced the appointment of a new chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani at the helm of the loss-making national carrier.

Lohani replaced Rohit Nandan, whose extended tenure ends on Friday.

"A section of Air India is observing a go-slow since this morning, leading to delay in flights," sources said.

A total of 11 flights have been delayed so far -- eight from Mumbai and three from Delhi -- they added.

The Labour Ministry in an order on Thursday had excluded airline commanders from the workmen category.

This means the commanders can no longer form a union.

The Civil Aviation Ministry had earlier asked the Labour Ministry to remove pilots and engineers from the workmen category to prevent them from going on strike.

In the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, a non-workman is defined as an employee who is mainly in managerial or administrative capacity, or who draws wages exceeding Rs 10,000 per month.

The image is for representational purpose only. Photograph: Reuters