Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Johanne Prosper
Published on 2024-03-14 13:00:15
The new roles assigned to Blue-Eyed Boys Amba Manikham and Jean Bernard Sadien in question
Air Mauritius, the national airline, announced in an internal memo yesterday, the first significant changes within its organization since the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Charles Cartier, at the end of last week. While the establishment of an operations advisory committee has not generated much enthusiasm or major disapproval, certain key appointments within the company, particularly the new assignment of Amba Manikham, are raising eyebrows and already sparking mixed reactions among employees.
The new operations advisory committee has been established to advise the new CEO on operational matters. This body is composed of members with experience within Air Mauritius Ltd, including Patrick Ter Hofsteed, Roodra Raghoobar, Sameer Baichoo, Ziyaad Parthasee, and Jean-Bernard Sadien.
In an effort to enhance the customer experience, Amba Manikham, a controversial figure within the national airline, has been appointed as the Senior Manager Ground Services Worldwide. This decision has immediately raised questions about her authority over station managers at Air Mauritius stopovers, as well as concerns about the balance of previously conferred and exercised responsibilities.
Criticism of Appointments
Furthermore, Jean-Hughes Young Lan Sun has assumed the temporary role of Cabin Operations and In-Flight Services Manager since yesterday, until further notice. In addition, Air Mauritius announced the appointment of Roodesh Muttylall as Corporate Finance Manager. He will start his duties on April 22.
These changes have been received differently among Air Mauritius staff. Some express optimism about the direction the company is taking, highlighting the experience and professionalism of the new members of the management team. However, others express serious concerns about the implications of these changes for the company’s future direction.
Amba Manikham’s new assignment is strongly contested because she is considered by MK staff to be a “despot” who until now held two key positions within Management, capable of wielding great influence with the blessing of her superiors, including the former MK Board Member, Ken Arian.
Feelings of Disappointment
Finally, comments from a former member of the Air Mauritius minority shareholder association, a former employee and unionist at MK, reflect a general sense of disappointment and mistrust towards the decisions made by the new CEO.
One of the posts shared with some frustration expresses a lack of trust in the initial actions taken by Charles Cartier, particularly regarding the continued involvement of certain individuals previously criticized or associated with past issues.
Also highlighted is Roodesh Muttylall’s tenure within the company and his recent return after a period of absence. This situation raises questions about the coherence and fairness of decision-making processes. Some question the lack of a meritocracy policy and the opportunity to offer positions to other competent individuals. Finally, this post raises questions about the consistency and fairness of decision-making processes, as well as the current management’s ability to effectively utilize available professional resources and promote new voices within the company.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
