Unpaid since February 2016, 2,700 employees of Cambata Aviation protest in Mumbai

The employees, led by social activist Anjali Damania, started an agitation on Tuesday at Azad Maidan demanding the immediate payment of dues.

Around 2,700 employees of Cambata Aviation, once a leading ground handling agency in airports, have been not paid for the last 17 months ever since they ceased operation.

Around 500 employees have retired but they have not been given retirement dues. (HT)

The employees, led by social activist Anjali Damania, started an agitation on Tuesday at Azad Maidan demanding the immediate payment of dues.

Cambata was one of the leading companies having its operations in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Goa airports. After it shut in August last year, the owners left for the US and so they were unavailable for comment. Attempts to contact the management of Cambata Aviation too failed.

According to Damania, the workers are facing serious problems. “The workers are on the streets and there is no response either from the company nor the government. Their hard-earned money is not being paid to them,” she said.

Around 500 employees have retired but they have not been given retirement dues.

She said the state government should direct the Mumbai International Airport Limited to take responsibility to clear the dues. Damania said there was mismanagement of funds which resulted in losses.

State labour minister Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar was not available for comment despite several attempts.

Pandurang Kadam, 46, worked with the company for 23 years. “My daughter who was diagnosed with tumour is no more. We faced a harrowing time and spent a lot of money for her treatment,” he said.

Another employee Udav Jadhav is being supported by his relatives. “I am worried about my children’s education,” said Jadhav.