MUMBAI, July 31: Workers at the three airports in the city resorted to a flash strike after nearly 50 of their colleagues were arrested for staging a protest at the Sahar Cargo complex.

The strike was called off after those arrested were released two hours later.

According to the All India Airports Union's Coordination Committee, nearly 400 contract workers had gathered at the complex to protest against the management's failure to implement a Supreme Court order passed eight months ago. The court had directed the authorities to absorb the contract workers and make them permanent. They claim that the management is trying to scuttle their chances using new ploys like seeking clarifications and medical examinations, which they allege, are ruses used to retrench the workers on grounds of ill health and old age.

But a spokesperson of the Airports Authority of India claimed that the strike did not have much of an effect on the work at the airports. He added that the protestors were cleaners who do not command much influence at the site.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.