An action council of various trade unions has alleged nepotism and lack of transparency in appointments at the Kannur International Airport, scheduled to be inaugurated on December 9.
Action committee leader and senior functionary of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) K. Surendran alleged that unions were planning an agitation against Kannur International Airport Ltd (KIAL), which, he said, had betrayed those who had spared land for the airport.
Residents of the airport project area had been promised that at least one member of each evicted family would be given a job at the airport, he said, adding that very few of such families had benefited from the offer.
Mr. Surendran had raised the allegation at a press conference here on October 16. Ameri Musthafa, general secretary of International Airport General Workers’ Congress, and M. Venugopal of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh were also present at the press meet.
Mr. Surendran said as many as 186 families had lost their homes after their their land was acquired for the airport.
Less offers
However, only 15 persons have got job offers so far, he said, adding that the jobs were at agencies associated with the airport. He accused the KIAL management of offering jobs to candidates recommended by the CPI(M).
The action committee said the grievances had already been conveyed to the airport management. It also threatened to resort to agitation if the issue was not settled amicably.