SIA Engineering-linked company criticised over handling of layoffs

Singapore Airlines (SIA) Engineering joint venture Eagle Services Asia has been criticised by employees for how it handled its retrenchment of staff.

According to Singapore’s Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao, the company which specialises in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), laid off 144 workers over two retrenchment exercises in three days from July 22 to July 24.

But it was the way it handled the retrenchment that attracted criticism from its employees. The affected staff were only informed that they were laid off after arriving at work, and were told to pack up and leave the office as soon as they received the notice.

Employees were also unhappy that the company did not provide them with a reason for retrenchment or a chance to say goodbye to their colleagues.

Meanwhile, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has stepped in to negotiate with the company.

A NTUC spokesperson told HRM Asia, “Discussions are currently underway between NTUC, Air-Transport Executive Staff Union, SIA Engineering Company Engineers and Executives Union, Singapore Airlines Staff Union, and Eagle Services Asia Pte Ltd.

“Our priority at the moment is to ensure that the workers in the company are treated fairly and with dignity.”

The aviation industry has been badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with Singapore’s national carrier SIA grounding 96% of its fleet due to sharp decline of tourism numbers.