Last couple of days, I have been reading about the strike by pilots of Jet airways, which has caused nothing but inconvenience to the common man. Do such people who fuel such agitation, even realize the repercussions? How much of inconvenience it would have caused to travellers? People would have missed official meetings. There would be some who would have been travelling to catch international connections. There would be people travelling on emergencies. Last month, all airlines wanted to strike, if the government did not bail them out. Such is the sad state of affairs in our country, that a small group of people can hold the entire country to ransom, for their own selfish motive.
A strike is never a solution to any problem? A strike takes away more than what it attempts to give. It affects the people who pay for a service through their hard earned money. The airlines will refund the cost of the ticket. But can it refund the time; effort and tension passengers go through, to get themselves on another flight? It goes way beyond monetary compensation. All other airlines, whose pilots were not as coordinated enough to induce such a preposterous action, would be running to the bank. They are no less selfish in cashing in on the already stressed out passengers. Can someone please explain the reason for ticket prices increasing manifold? I do not buy the thought that it is a demand-supply situation. The number of people flying in India was always minuscule and supply was always more. Shrewdly putting, other airlines have resorted to a practice which is as close to hoarding and black marketing as it can get.
No one would agree, but the coming together of Kingfisher and Jet, to share maintenance facilities, ground handling facilities etc. was the biggest cartelization of the airline industry in India and no one could nor did do anything about it. According to what the media reported, majority of the passengers who had to cancel their Jet tickets went to KF. The result of the so-called cartelization is clearly evident and we as common people can do nothing about it but pay the sky high prices and travel.
What will it take for us to realize that when we stop doing our work, it not only affects us but trickles down to other parts of society? When will we ever get over the communist tendencies? Have we not lost enough in the past, due to communist leadership? We are a democracy, where everyone has a right to speak their mind and to do what they want, but only to the extent it does not become inconvenient to others. With rights come responsibility and it is high time we realize it and move on and away from communist ideologies.
By the way, all the striking pilots should be fired and new ones hired. As it is due to the recession, there aren’t enough worthwhile jobs to go around. Atleast this way, people who want to work will get work and those who want to create a nuisance can continue to do so. Fortunately in India, the government does not provide a ‘dole’ for unemployed people. Instead of striking, let us get on with our jobs and talk it out to sort out issues. There are no issues which cannot be solved through a mutual dialogue. And let us not trouble anyone for our personal interests.
High time we have some regulation controlling strikes and lockouts not only in essential services but in each and every sphere of the economy. The government on its part needs to provide better compensation and benefits to all PSU staff, else what is applicable to majority of the PSU staff, should be made applicable to the ministers. After all isn’t the government also a public sector undertaking?
There is a long history to how strike originated. No denying the fact that strike did have a good intention that is...to protect the employees from management unfair practices.Though today it is used as a disguise to hold the employers to ransom. Lots to do with the leftist attitude. China moves ahead on progressive communism, while we still shackle ourselves to some old ideas of communism. where anything pro-west is bad!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGood one Bro!!
ReplyDeleteIts high time all the indian companies start concentrating on their core-competencies and stop funding irrelevant events and invest the same in R&D.Funny part, is Kingfisher airline has been main sponsor for many glamour related events and now its at government doorsteps for a Taxpayer money bailout.They need to change their motto "Live in Bad Times" :-)Its high time companies realise their actuals overheads and cut down all those costs incurred to satisfy CEO's interest.Good example is Google or Facebook, they concentrated on their R&D and see the impact in the industry w/o any advertisement.In this internet age, does sponsorship sell is a debatable topic in itself.
Sorry bro if i have deviated from your topic ;)
Well, so much so for the Progressive attitude of all the companies.
ReplyDeleteSan, you're right about the supply demand equation in India. Until Capt Gopinath came along, middle-class India couldn't think of flying. But too many players have spoilt the market, be it Airlines or Telecom. Ideally there's space only for a few on the top and that's the way its going to be sooner than later.