Employees of Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), the country’s largest government-owned aircraft maintenance company, have initiated a symbolic protest over grievances related to promotions and alleged discrimination against contractual staff. On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, a section of AIESL employees began wearing black ribbons to work as a mark of dissent, highlighting their concerns about career progression and disparities between permanent and contractual workers.
The protesting employees claim that despite years of dedicated service, many have been overlooked for promotions, leading to growing frustration within the organization. They also allege that contractual staff members face unequal treatment in terms of benefits and job security compared to their permanent counterparts. The black ribbon protest is intended to draw the attention of AIESL management and government authorities to these pressing issues.
AIESL, which was formerly a part of Air India before the airline’s privatization, continues to play a critical role in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for various airlines operating in India. As the aviation industry expands, employees argue that fair promotion policies and equitable treatment of staff are essential to maintaining efficiency and morale within the organization.
The employees have urged the management to engage in discussions and address their concerns at the earliest. Failure to do so, they warn, could lead to an escalation of protests in the coming days.
