Air India buyer may be allowed to retrench staff in a year

NEW DELHI: The government is considering a plan to make Air India more attractive for potential buyers by allowing employees to be retrenched a year after divestment, said people aware of the matter.

“There are the two proposals being discussed — one is to allow them to retrench after one year and the other is to give three years,” said one of them. “It would make sense to allow future owners to retrench staff after a year’s time.”

Another person said the government will ensure that the interests of employees are protected.

“There would be conditions like employees can only be retrenched through the government’s voluntary retirement scheme (VRS),” he said.