NAGPUR— Employees at the Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) Nagpur Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility staged a sit-in protest outside the General Manager’s office, opposing a new internal policy that mandates a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before staff can apply for jobs at other companies.
The facility supports operations of Air India (AI) and other carriers at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur (NAG).
The workers contend that the fresh Office Order violates the terms of their original employment agreements, which only required a notice period or notice pay for resignation. The matter has now escalated to the office of the Deputy Chief Labor Commissioner, Nagpur, who has reportedly directed the company to respect employees’ right to resign.
Workers Demand Withdrawal of NOC Requirement
The protest at the AIESL Nagpur MRO unfolded as several employees gathered outside the General Manager’s office to register their objections. Workers stated that the dispute is not limited to a few individuals but concerns the career rights of the entire workforce.
According to the protesting staff, their signed employment contracts at the time of joining contained a single exit condition, that of serving a notice period or paying notice pay in lieu of it.
The newly issued Office Order, however, introduces a fresh requirement of obtaining an NOC from the management before applying for employment elsewhere. Employees argue that this addition was made unilaterally and falls outside the scope of the original agreement.
One of the protesting employees stated, “We are employees, not hostages. This fight isn’t just for 3-4 people, it’s for the future of every employee.”
Labor Commissioner’s Office Intervenes
The dispute has drawn the attention of the labor authorities in Nagpur. The Deputy Chief Labor Commissioner, Nagpur, issued a formal letter to the company clarifying the legal position on resignation.
The communication stated that resignation is a recognized right of every employee. It further specified that no worker can be forcibly retained by an employer once the notice period has been served or the equivalent notice pay has been tendered. Despite this directive from the labor authority, the protesting workers allege that the company management has not implemented the order in practice.
The employees claim that resignations continue to be delayed through procedural barriers involving relieving letters, NOCs, and management approvals. This, according to them, prevents workers from joining new employers within the agreed timeframe and causes them professional and financial loss.
Employees Raise Concerns Over Career Freedom
The protesting workers framed the issue as one of career mobility and individual freedom rather than a localized workplace grievance. They stated that the new conditions place skilled aviation engineering professionals at a disadvantage in a competitive job market.
A worker remarked, “This isn’t just a matter of 3-4 employees. It’s a question of the future of all young people and employees who want to advance through their hard work and skills.”
Another employee added, “We have given this company our hard work and years of time. But today we are being made to feel as if we are not employees, but hostages. Any employee should have the full right to move forward for a better future and career.”
Demands Placed Before AIESL Management
The employees at the Nagpur MRO have placed specific demands before the AIESL management. They have called for the immediate withdrawal of the new NOC condition, which they describe as being imposed outside the scope of their signed employment agreements.
The workers have also sought adherence to the directives issued by the office of the Deputy Chief Labor Commissioner, Nagpur. They have requested that resignations be processed within the framework of the original contract terms, allowing staff to exit respectfully after fulfilling notice period or notice pay obligations.
The protesting employees have stated that they will continue to press for the rollback of the policy and for recognition of their right to pursue better career opportunities in line with established labor rules.
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