Air India: Sexual Harassment Complaints On The Rise

Air India received eight sexual harassment complaints in the first half of 2019 itself, as compared to the 10 sexual harassment complaints in 2018. Ashwani Lohani, Air India's chief,  told the employees through a text on May 16 this year that sexual harassment cases are often being witnessed in Air India and “the airline needs to come down very very heavily on such offenders.” The chairman's message came after a woman pilot had alleged a commander of sexual harassment.

In May 2018, an Air India hostess had accused an AI senior of sexual harassment for the last six years. The woman had written to Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the same and demanded justice.

Eight Cases Of Sexual Harassment In The First Half Of 2019

According to the Economic Times, “During 2018, 10 complaints of sexual harassment have been filed at Air India. Between January 1 and July 1 of 2019, eight complaints of sexual harassment have been received.” It is also being said that the airline is dealing with such cases in the strictest way possible. After a woman pilot alleged a commander of sexual harassment, the spokesperson issued a statement saying, “Air India has set up an inquiry against its senior captain on sexual harassment case after receiving a complaint from a woman pilot.” The woman pilot was being trained under the captain she has filed this report against.

As compared to the 10 sexual harassment complaints in 2018, Air India received eight sexual harassment complaints in the first half of 2019 itself.

According to Times of India, the woman in her complaint says, “The instructor reportedly suggested the two to have dinner at a city restaurant in Hyderabad on May 5 after the training session was over. I agreed as I had done a few flights with him and he seemed decent. We went to a restaurant at around 8 pm and this is where my ordeal started. He started with telling me how depressed and unhappy he was in his married life. He also asked me how I coped with my husband living away and whether I didn’t need to have sex every day… At some point, I told him I did not want to talk about all this and called a cab.”

When Air India Hostess Wrote A Letter To Suresh Prabhu

In May 2018, an Air India hostess had accused an AI senior of sexual harassment for the last six years. The woman had written to Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the same and demanded justice. In the letter, the victim mentioned how she had reported this matter to the airline but the management refused to deal with the matter.

“This senior executive is a predator and has sexually propositioned me, abused me, used abusive language on other women in my presence in the office premises and he has tried to compel women in his office (including me) to come and drink with him at various bars, and many of us have been forced to do so. There are many people who can bear witness to these things,” she says in her letter to the minister.

Picture Credit: NDTV

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