Stampede-like situation as over 25,000 job seekers show up for walk-in interview near Mumbai airport

MUMBAI: Over 25,000 job seekers crowded Mumbai's Kalina on Tuesday for a walk-in interview at Air India Airport Services Ltd. The company had announced 2,216 vacancies for the handyman position, a job involving various repair and maintenance tasks.
Despite the limited number of openings, a huge crowd gathered outside the recruitment office, leading to chaos.Applicants were eventually asked to leave their resumes and go home.
Despite the physical demands of the job, which includes heavy lifting and operational tasks, the monthly salary ranges from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000, often supplemented by overtime allowances that can push earnings above ₹30,000. The educational requirements are flexible, emphasizing physical strength and readiness for rigorous duties.
George Abram, general secretary of the Aviation Industry Employees Guild, criticized the recruitment process. "People came for thousands of vacancies. They brought demand drafts, but we told them not to pay anything yet and that they would be called in later," Abram said.
The incident shows the intense competition for jobs and raises questions about organizing large recruitment events. Despite the issues, organizers promised to review all resumes and contact eligible candidates for further steps.