NEW DELHI- Representatives from the All India Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Union (AIAMEU) met with India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, to address pressing concerns in the aviation maintenance sector.
The union presented a memorandum outlining two key demands aimed at improving working conditions and professional recognition for aircraft technicians.
AIAMEU Appeals to Civil Aviation Minister
We got exclusive confirmation from the AIAMEU secretary Prashant Patel. He and other representatives are optimistic about the meeting and the young civil aviation minister has assured that he will look into this matter.
The first demand focuses on the permanence of temporary employees at AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL). AIAMEU, representing aircraft technicians across India, urged the minister to convert fixed-term employment (FTE) positions into permanent roles.
This change would provide greater job security and financial stability for these skilled professionals who are crucial in ensuring aircraft safety and reliability.
In their letter, AIAMEU highlighted the critical nature of aircraft technicians’ work in maintaining India’s aviation industry’s safety, efficiency, and reliability. Despite their important duties, the union pointed out a significant disparity in compensation, particularly regarding the absence of Dearness Allowance (DA) in the salary structure of FTE Aircraft Technicians at AIESL.
The union argued that including DA in the salary structure would not only align the compensation with industry standards but also reflect the true value of technicians’ contributions to the aviation sector.
They emphasized that this adjustment would enhance financial security and help counter inflation, ensuring technicians remain motivated and committed to maintaining the highest standards of aircraft maintenance and safety.
Graduation and Degree for AME Candidates
The second demand relates to the long-standing issue of granting graduate status to the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) course under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This request has been pending since 2015, with no resolution in sight.
Recognizing the course as equivalent to a graduate degree would elevate the professional standing of aircraft maintenance engineers and potentially open up new career opportunities.
The appeal, made under the banner “Mission AME Graduation,” highlights longstanding issues faced by professionals in this critical aviation sector.
AME was a 3-year full-time certificate course that included 6 months of practical training on live aircraft. Despite the rigorous nature of their training, AMEs have been struggling for recognition equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. This lack of formal recognition has led to exploitation in the aviation field, with many AMEs working for less than minimum wage or even without salary.
Now it’s just a 2-year course copied from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) but is not implemented accordingly and there are many lapses.
Demand Since 2016 By Mission AME Graduation Team
The group’s letter to the minister outlines a history of advocacy dating back to 2016-18 when they engaged in discussions with previous Aviation Ministers, DGCA officials, and even the then Education Minister and UGC officials.
A glimmer of hope appeared on March 8, 2017, when the DGCA issued a public notice (File No. 11- 690/Sec2-VIII/E-2012) in collaboration with UGC to grant bachelor’s degree status to AME graduates through RGNAU. However, progress stalled after this announcement, with neither the ministry nor the DGCA responding to further inquiries.
The letter is signed by several MAG (Mission AME Graduation) Team Members, including Shashi Bhushan Kumar, Vikrant Kumar, and Suraj Kumar, Prashant Patel among others. They’ve provided contact information for follow-up, demonstrating their commitment to resolving these long-standing issues.
Minister Naidu, who was recently appointed as the youngest Aviation Minister of India, gave the union representatives a sympathetic hearing. Further, He assured the delegation that he would take positive initiatives to address these critical issues affecting the aviation maintenance community.
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