Retrenched Malindo Airways staff assured of benefits
- Charles Chau
Malaysia’s Human Resource minister Datuk Seri M Saravan has said all retrenched staff of the budget airline or those who had been on unpaid leave or forced to accept its Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) earlier this month will receive their just compensation and unemployment benefits through the Employment Insurance System (EIS), said Malay Mail.
His ministry and affiliated agencies – the Department of Industrial Relations (JPP), the Department of Manpower (JTK) and the Social Security Organisation (Socso) – have had discussions with Malindo’s management, and will “ensure the rights of the affected workers are protected and appropriate assistance is given”.
“At the same time, Socso will assist them in finding jobs through the MYFutureJobs portal.
“Malindo Airways employees are also eligible to participate in training programs (reskilling, upskilling) provided by Socso or Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB), where training fees are fully borne by the government.
“Employees involved in retrenchment are advised to immediately apply for EIS benefits online through eis.perkeso.gov.my or attend at any nearby Socso office,” he said in a statement.
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The pandemic-affected airline had received various government financial aid since April, but it said its finances were untenable without transferring out 20 aircraft, retrenching 2,647 staff, offering VSS for 349 others and long-term unpaid leave for 439 of its pilots and cabin crew.
Malindo Airways is owned by Indonesia’s Lion Air Group.
