Passengers face tough time

Passengers face tough time

Staff Reporter

Trolley retrievers stay away from work at HAL Airport

BANGALORE: Under threat of losing their livelihood in two days, a number of trolley retrievers at the HAL Airport have not reported for duty, causing chaos.

A large number of passengers after embarking from the aircraft had a tough time on Monday night, as nearly 120 trolley retrievers struck work.

Although the situation improved on Tuesday, many did not turn up for work as they were busy looking out for alternative employment.

“Although the situation on Monday afternoon was better it got worse by evening after all the trolleys were brought out by the passengers from the terminal building. Finally, baggage handlers were requested to bring some trolleys inside to help the passengers,” sources told The Hindu.

A baggage handler, who was asked to retrieve the trolleys inside the terminal building late on Monday night, said: “Many have not made alternative arrangements for employment, and BIAL did not call them.”

“Although all our employees have not returned to work, we are trying to ensure that the passengers are not put to inconvenience, and that we are managing with what ever staff we have,” an official of Adlinks that has the contract for trolleys at the HAL Airport said.

The official said that the announcement of HAL airport closure came a little too early although expected. “Some of the trolley retrievers had been working in the airport for the last couple of decades. Although the contracts for the trolley handling changed hands, they continued to work here since the new contractors would offer them the job. This time around, Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL) did not accommodate them,” he added.

He pointed out that his company realised that the contract at BIAL had been given to another company only a month ago, and that the sudden announcement of date for commencement of operations did not give them any time to react.

According to sources in Airport police, many trolley retrievers have not turned up for work, and they might have found alternative employment since the airport was being closed in a couple of days. “Passengers were put to minor inconvenience due to this,” sources said.