MALAYSIA Airlines Berhad (MAB) will not be laying off staff at this juncture as it grapples with headwinds due to Covid-19, said Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan.

“At this point, there is no need for MAB to lay off its staff. The move will only be a last resort measure for MAB to consider,” he said in a statement today.

The national carrier will also be temporarily freezing promotions and new hires as part of initial measures to mitigate the slump amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

The ministry had a meeting with MAB on Wednesday and was informed of the initial measures to be taken by the airline, Saravanan said.

As such, the ministry had also advised the carrier to take certain measures, including adhering to labour laws, collective agreements and code of conduct.

MAB management is required to have engagements with staff to keep them informed of the pandemic.

“The ministry will always monitor and advise the employers of the action to be taken in view of the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak which involves employees’ welfare.

“This is to ensure that the harmonious situation at work will remain healthy and conducive without affecting workers welfare or a company’s operations,” he said.

Staff members were encouraged to take voluntary unpaid leave for three months or five days each month over a period of three months.

Such applications are subject to the approval of the heads of department.

The voluntary unpaid leave programme also involves subsidiaries of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), such as MAB Kargo, MAB Engineering, Firefly and MASwings. – March 15, 2020.