THERE is no need for Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd to lay off workers as it had received about RM3 mil in government assistance to retain its workers.
In a statement today, National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) said the monetary aid was received from Social Security Organisation (Socso), via its Employee Retention Programme.
“Malindo’s management appears to be using the most drastic way to retrench its workers. The question is are they insolvent or heading towards bankruptcy.
“We believe Malindo’s owners can do other things to save their jobs,” it said.
In an internal memo issued yesterday, Malindo’s CEO Mushafiz Mustafa Bakri said the airline has no choice but to retrench some of its staff due to volatile business condition.
“The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be unrelenting. Owing to the border closures, we are unable to fly abroad. To make matters worse, domestic travels are also hit.
“For now, we are only getting about 10% of our pre-pandemic revenue and our fleet size today is 50% of what it was earlier and even with reduced fleet, most of the aircraft are on long-term parking.
“Therefore, we have no choice but to take drastic steps in order to stay afloat,” he was reported saying.
The retrenchment may affect about 2,200 staff members.
Nufam said that it was odd for Malindo to retrench its staff as most of them are already on unpaid leave from June till July next year.
It added that with staffers on unpaid leave, coupled with government assistance. Malindo shoud be able to sustain itself till middle of next year.
“There are other options that could be taken rather than letting go thousands of workers. Where will these workers go now to find new jobs?” Nufam asked.
The union then urged affected staff to contact the former once they receive retrenchment letters from Malindo.
Nufam added the affected staff can file cases under Section 20 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967 and it must be done within 60 days of receiving the retrenchment letter.
“They can also approach the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) for help. Airline workers who believe there is unfairness can always seek our advise,” said Nufam.
Speaking to FocusM, Nufam president Ismail Nasrudin urged both Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong to intervene on the matter.
“I also urge Malindo to reconsider its decision as it will be tough for them to look for other jobs in this current economic climate.
‘And I believe Saravanan has said the government has disbursed billion to 150,000 companies under the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (Prihatin) to save jobs.
“This is the time for the government to show that it truly cares for the people,” he said. – Oct 29, 2020
