Government may invoke ESMA to counter Jet Airways strike
08 Sep 2009
The government is likely to invoke provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) as a flash strike by about 600 pilots of Jet Airways, the country's top carrier, stranded hundreds of passengers at airports across the country.
The government said it is deeply concerned at the inconvenience caused to the traveling public by the cancellation of flights of Jet Airways.
Union home secretary G K Pillai has asked state chief secretaries to review the situation in the light of the relevant provisions of the civil aviation regulations and in the larger interest of the public.
He has specifically asked state chief secretaries to consult their respective labour secretaries to see whether there is a necessity to invoke the provisions of Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to ensure restoration of services so that the general public is not put into inconvenience.
About 145 captains and 154 co-pilots of Jet Airways have reported sick en masse, leading to cancellation of around 119 flights - 4 international flights and 115 domestic flights.
A government release said all efforts are being made to divert passengers to other flights.
