In light of the recent staff terminations at AirAsia Bhd, a former staff member has led an initiative to help those who had lost their jobs during this pandemic find new jobs through a list being circulated on social media.
Allan Phang, who had previously served at AirAsia from 2013 to April 2020, began the initiative as a spreadsheet – titled “Former AirAsia Allstars List – Covid-19 Layoffs” – is being shared around among the staff who were terminated, with the document then shared on social media in hopes of catching the eye of prospective employers.
The initiative was inspired by similar moves in the startup industry, such as the SEAriously Awesome People List, meant for those laid off from startup firms due to Covid-19, and the list made by an Ex-Klook community lead for retrenched employees.
Over 170 of the affected staff have signed up in the list.
The Covid-19 pandemic saw AirAsia terminating 111 flight attendants, 172 pilots, and 50 engineers, with the announcement made by AirAsia CEO Riad Asmat at a staff briefing on June 4, with compensation to all involved promised. The terminations were effective June 9.
According to Astro Awani, who cited a source, Riad was also quoted as saying that the situation faced by AirAsia was “extremely difficult, and that all measures to reduce cost, monitor internal and external factors were inadequate.”
Riad had also apologised, stressing that the company had no choice but to restructure the organisation, as management could not guarantee the company would return to normal. These form part of the terminations that will happen across the AirAsia Group. – June 9, 2020
