Thumbay Group launches “Thumbay Cares” well-being program putting team members first
Ajman (UAE): Thumbay Group has launched “Thumbay Cares”, a comprehensive well-being programme aimed at improving the quality of life, career growth and long-term security of its team members across all its divisions. The announcement comes soon after the Group was officially certified as a “Great Place to Work” in the UAE for 2025–2026.
The Group employs more than 3,000 people from 56 nationalities, including over 500 doctors. With the launch of Thumbay Cares, the management said it is strengthening its focus on a people-first work culture by bringing together healthcare support, financial protection, education assistance, wellness initiatives, recognition and leadership development under a single umbrella.
According to the Group, Thumbay Cares is not limited to employee benefits but is designed as a long-term commitment to support team members in both their professional and personal lives. The programme has been introduced under the vision of Dr Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, who has consistently stressed the importance of investing in people to build sustainable institutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Thumbay Moideen said that being recognised as a Great Place to Work reflects the organisation’s internal culture and values. He said the new programme takes this commitment further by ensuring that team members feel supported in health, growth and life, adding that when employees feel valued and secure, excellence follows naturally.
Under Thumbay Cares, team members will receive a range of healthcare and wellness benefits. These include free medical checkups at Thumbay Healthcare facilities, free blood tests at Thumbay Labs, free health insurance for all employees, quarterly body composition analysis through Body and Soul Health Club, complimentary health club membership, grooming and wellness services, as well as life and workmen’s compensation insurance. The Group said the focus is on preventive care, early diagnosis and overall well-being as part of everyday life.
The programme also places strong emphasis on education, professional growth and leadership development. Thumbay Group will offer merit-based scholarships for children of employees at Gulf Medical University and provide free next-generation leadership training through Thumbay College of Management and programmes in artificial intelligence in healthcare. These initiatives are aimed at creating clear pathways for career advancement and leadership roles within the organisation.
In addition, Thumbay Cares includes performance-based rewards, incentives, benefits for long-serving employees, annual bonus programmes and subsidised services across various Thumbay outlets. The Group said these measures are intended to recognise loyalty and contribution, while building a work environment where employees feel respected, rewarded and motivated to stay long term.
With the launch of Thumbay Cares, Thumbay Group said it aims to position itself not only as a leader in healthcare and education, but also as one of the region’s most people-centric organisations.
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Air India resorts to cost-cutting ways amid 'tough times'; layoffs not anticipated
New Delhi/Mumbai (PTI): Hit hard by Pakistan airspace closure and Iran war, Air India has resorted to cost-cutting measures, including holding back annual increments for staff and asking them to cut discretionary spending as well as non-critical expenditures, warning of "tough times".
On Friday, Air India Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (CEO & MD) Campbell Wilson told the staff it is going to be a "very, very difficult year" if things don't improve on the Middle East front.
A day after the loss-making airline's board discussed various cost-saving steps, Wilson, along with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Sanjay Sharma and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Ravindra Kumar GP, addressed the employees during a townhall on Friday where the emphasis on the need to keep a close watch on costs.
With higher jet fuel prices due to the West Asia conflict and airspace curbs, the loss-making airline's expenses have spiralled in recent times and against this backdrop, Sharma also told staffers that FY26 has seen a softening in revenue amid heightened external uncertainties.
Calling for a relentless focus on costs in these tough times, Wilson urged employees to suspend discretionary spending, renegotiate rates where feasible, and defer non-critical expenditures.
"There must be a laser-sharp focus on eliminating wastage and leakages," he said.
Stressing the need to tighten the belt for a while, Wilson sounded optimistic that travel demand would rebound and the industry would continue on its upward path.
CHRO Ravindra Kumar told staff that the airline will proceed with variable pay for the last financial year and continue with planned promotions while noting that annual increments will be deferred by at least one quarter.
"We don't anticipate layoffs," he said.
At the airline's board meeting on Thursday, various cost-saving steps, including likely furloughs, were discussed. The Tata Group-owned airline has around 24,000 employees.
Generally, furlough refers to sending staff on unpaid leaves by companies during a tough financial situation.
During the townhall, CFO Sanjay Sharma said while strong revenue growth and fleet expansion drove financial momentum through FY25, FY26 has seen a softening in revenue amid heightened external uncertainties.
Air India has seen around 40 per cent CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) in revenue between 2022 and 2025, he added.
The airline was acquired by the Tata Group from the government in January 2022.
The Air India CEO mentioned the external challenges being facing the aviation industry as a whole, including the continued closure of Pakistan airspace that is expected to persist for the foreseeable future and geopolitical conflicts leading to disruptions and airspace closures across West Asia.
Wilson, who is set to step down later this year, also flagged a sharp depreciation of the rupee and a 2.5-3 times increase in jet fuel prices, and added that these factors have adversely affected travel sentiment and consumer confidence, as per the sources.
If the Strait of Hormuz opens, oil prices fall and consumer as well as business confidence come back, there is a decent chance of a solid recovery, Wilson said, adding that unless those circumstances happen, it was going to be "a very, very difficult year".
"I feel somewhat responsible that we ended up with probably the biggest surprise of the year in the external environment which was a full-scale war in our neighbouring region in the Gulf. That has had a huge impact on airspace," he said.
For Air India, Wilson said the situation is compounded by the fact that the airline cannot fly over the neighbouring country and has to take a much longer routing for any west-bound destination.
"Every airline is reporting that they are under some sort of financial pressure as a result of higher fuel prices and economic uncertainty. So, it is unfortunately not a great environment to be running an airline," the Air India CEO said.
The Air India Group -- Air India and Air India Express -- is projected to have incurred more than Rs 22,000 crore loss in the financial year ended March 2026.
At the townhall, Wilson also highlighted various initiatives, including completion of the retrofit of its legacy narrow-body aircraft and rapid network optimisation to redeploy capacity more efficiently.
