Work less, earn less – Air India comes up with new plan to save cash

Air India has introduced a “shorter working week scheme” under which its permanent employees, except pilots and cabin crew members, can opt to work for three days a week at 60% salary.

This measure has been introduced in order to improve the airline’s cash flow position amid the coronavirus pandemic, news agency PTI has said. “The permanent employee who opts for such a scheme can avail this for a period of one year,” according to the airline’s senior officials.

The pandemic has impacted the aviation industry significantly, and all airlines in India have taken steps like slashing salaries of employees or terminating employees to improve their cash flow.

Air India officials said that the employees opting for the “shorter working week scheme” would not have the option to take any other employment during the remaining days of the week.

India resumed its domestic passenger flights from May 25 after lockdown restrictions due to the pandemic was eased. However, international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in the country.

Air India is a loss-making enterprise with a debt of more than Rs 60,000 crore.