13th November 2018

To All Members,

Sub: Calling off of Strike called by Drivers’ Union

Dear Friends,

As you are aware that Drivers Union had given a strike call w.e.f. 15th November 2018.

IATO immediately swung into action and took all precautionary measures so that our tourists and also our members do not face any problem from their foreign agents.

A meeting was called yesterday, the 12th November 2018, which was attended by Vice President IATO, President ITTA and President of Drivers Union. The matter was discussed at length. However, before the meeting on behalf of our members, we had sent the below  letter to the President of Drivers Union clarifying IATO’s position.

We also informed the Secretary Tourism, DG Tourism and all the senior officials of the  Ministry and requested the Ministry to take suitable action to protect foreign tour operators in such a situation and call for a joint meeting.

Accordingly on request from IATO, a meeting was called by Mr. Satyajeet Rajan, Director General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India today at Transport Bhawan, where IATO, ITTA and Drivers Union were invited. Director General (Tourism) made an appeal to the President, Drivers Union to call off the strike and advised them to discuss this matter with the President ITTA/owners of the Transport for amicable solution.        

Accordingly, President Drivers Union has agreed to the suggestions and have called off the strike.  The letter signed between ITTA and Drivers Union is enclosed.

Lastly, I appeal to all our members to follow the Government rules and regulations, especially specified in our letter and in the agreement between ITTA and Drivers Union in correct spirit.

This is for your information.

With best regards,

 

Pronab Sarkar

President


12th November, 2018

Mr. Balwant Singh Bhullar

President

Rajdhani Tourist Driver Union

New Delhi

Dear Mr. Bhullar,

Sub: Information of Strike w.e.f. 15th November 2018 

This is with reference to your letter dated 7th November, 2018 regarding indefinite strike of drivers of your union with effect from 15thNovember 2018.

Drivers are the integral part of the tourism industry and are serving the industry with full dignity for decades.

As you know, this is the peak tourist season and going on strike will effect tourism severely and will give very bad name to the country and tourism industry. Besides tour operators in India may be sued by the foreign tour operators for deficiency in services and inconvenience caused to them. In case if any tour operators are sued by the foreign agent, this will affect the transport owner and staff also.

In view of the above, may I request you for the following:-

  • The strike may be deferred to a later date.
  • Matters to be discussed for proper negotiation and amicable solutions between transport owners/ITTA and drivers’ union and strike should be the last resort if negotiation fails.
  • As far as IATO is concerned, if any of our association members who are not following the rules of minimum wages act, provident fund, ESI as per rule, please let us know and we shall take up the matter with the concerned member immediately.

Hope you will agree to our above suggestions and call off the strike to avoid any inconvenience to the foreign tourists and we are open to discussions.

We are sure you will agree to our suggestions keeping in view the interest of tourism industry.  

Looking forward to hear from you.

With best regards,

 

Pronab Sarkar

President        

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