RETRENCHED staff of Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd can file a representation with the Industrial Relations Department, said the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam).

“The filing can be done under Section 20 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967 and it must be done within 60 days,” the union said in a statement.

“Airline workers who believed there is unfairness to the retrenchment can always seek our advice,” it added.

Apart from that, it said, the affected staff can also approach the Malaysian Trade Union Congress for help.

Crew members were advised to contact the union once they have received their termination letters. 

Nufam also questioned the drastic measure taken by the company’s management to lay off its staff.

“The Malindo Airways management appears to use the most drastic way to retrench their workers. Is the airline insolvent or bankrupt already?” Nufam questioned.

“There is a need to mitigate these issues first before the airline decides to lay off these 2,000 workers. 

“This is a huge number Nufam believes the owners can help save,” it added.

The union said the hybrid airline has already put many of its workers on long-term leave until July next year, questioning the need to further downsize its workforce. 

In addition to that, the airline has also received RM3 million from the Social Security Organisation for the Employee Retention Programme, which will allow it to retain its workers until mid-next year. 

“We don’t see any reason why Malindo Airways needs to let go so many of their workers while they have already received monetary assistance from the government,” it said. 

“There are other options could be taken rather than letting go the thousands of workers. Where will these workers go now to find new jobs?” it asked.

“Our only hope is to see if the situation recovers by early next year. 

“It’s very sad to see these thousands of workers being retrenched during such precarious moments where the economy is about to pick up slowly again.”

The Malaysian Insight reported earlier today that Malindo will be embarking on a retrenchment exercise as it tries to weather financial turbulence.

Chief executive officer Captain Mushafiz Mustafa Bakri said in an internal memo sighted by The Malaysian Insight the airline has only been making 10% of its pre-pandemic monthly revenue.

“The last few months have been extremely challenging for us as a business owing to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which does not seem to be relenting,” he said.

“Owing to the border closures, we are unable to fly abroad. At the same time, there is hardly any demand for domestic air travel.” 

Mushafiz said the airline has taken several drastic measures to reduce its fixed and operating costs, including halving its fleet. 

It has offered staff the options of voluntary long-term unpaid leave and voluntary separation schemes.

The company has, among others, also suspended recruitment, reassessed wages, ceased allowances, overtime and mileage claims, and discontinued employment of staff above the statutory retirement age of 60. – October 29, 2020.