Jet Airways is treating Indian pilots in a “step-motherly” manner compared to expats, pilots’ body NAG said on Wednesday even as the airline asserted that it has a strict and common code for employees.
Seeking swift action against alleged racist approach of expat pilots at the airline, the National Aviators Guild (NAG) called for disallowing such pilots in the cockpit.
The group’s statement follows its direction on April 15 asking its members not to fly with the expats in the cockpit after one of the foreign pilots allegedly assaulted a trainer in Bengaluru recently.
The carrier has around 60 expat commanders, who mainly operate its Boeing 737 and ATR fleet.
In a strongly-worded statement, NAG said disparaging, inappropriate and racist comments allegedly made by certain expat pilots cannot be taken lightly.
“This is in addition to the verbal and physical abuse of a senior trainer by an expat pilot employed by the airline,” NAG claimed.
“The management has for a very long time treated the Indian employees, including the pilots, in a step-motherly manner and has disregarded the legitimate expectations of its employees to be treated fairly, reasonably and in a just manner,” it noted.
A Jet Airways spokesperson said as part of the airline’s open door policy, it encourages all employee groups to engage in consultative processes and arrive at amicable solutions.
“As an Indian airline operating internationally, all employees, regardless of nationality, are governed by a strict and common code of conduct,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
He noted that there are robust HR processes to ensure that instances of contradictory nature are duly investigated and appropriate actions taken as per company policy.