I am totally shaken and at dismay after hearing about Jet Airways CEO Vinay Dube and CFO Amit Agrawal stepping down from their respective roles.
These both men were the last hope of the 23,000 Jet employees whose future now looks bleak. Jet boss Naresh Goyal had already abandoned these employees and their families in a dire situation.
These employees had given many years, their loyalty, hard work and sincerity to build the Jet brand. And this is what they got in return!
And today, no one else but these very employees are in misery as their families are suffering. For others, life and business goes on. Lenders are busy looking for buyers. The Government of India and Opposition parties are busy with election campaigning – everyone seems to have forgotten these poor employees.
Where is Naresh Goyal? Why isn’t he not addressing his loyal employees?
The Indian Ministry of aviation and lenders – such as big banks, including the SBI) – should have joined hands to help these employees. But no one seems to care. No one is doing anything to save the jobs of these 23,000 employees.
Opposition parties make a mountain out of a molehill on trivial issues, but they are quiet on the plight of these Jet employees. Why?
And what about our celebrities who are quick to join various campaigns, showing placards and doing candle marches? Hasn’t the plight of the Jet employees moved their hearts?
Setting aside their differences, the Government of India and all opposition parties must work to bring a positive change in the lives of these people and must find a long-term solution as well.
It costs a huge amount and time to train as a commercial pilot, obtain a licence and then secure a job at a good airline. Many of the young pilots had taken loans for their education.
Senior employees were used to a lifestyle to maintain, but suddenly their only source of income has gone.
Imagine yourself in this situation and probably you’ll be able to relate with the pain and terrible situation of Jet employees. Aren’t we moved by the suffering of those around us?
(Hemant Shah is a Winnipeg-based businessman who has promoted business relations between and Canada since the 1980s)
READ ALSO: Winnipeg’s `Mr India’ Hemant Shah to be honoured at KOJAIN
