Malindo Air retrenchment exercise: All you need to know

MALINDO Airways is the latest local airline carrier to partake in a massive retrenchment exercise as airline industries worldwide explore measures to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What’s going on?

Malindo Air said that it will be trimming its workforce from 3,200 to 1,000 staff with all affected employees expected to complete their employment by November 30.

The airline had also reduced its fleet size to five B737 aircraft and six ATRs turboprop.

Earlier, on October 9, low-cost airlines AirAsia Bhd and AirAsia X Bhd had also laid off 10 per cent of their 24,000 employees as part of its cost-cutting measures

What are the employees saying?

Malindo Air staff has taken to Twitter to bid farewell with the hashtag "sign off" and share the memories they had with the airline.

The end of the chapter. Thank you Malindo for all the memories. Dari zaman trainee then masuk kerja. Never ever imagined this day would come, but Allahs plan is always beautiful than our desire. Stay strong, dear self. Khairun Nasuha signing off pic.twitter.com/0DKBR1upf8
— Khairun Nasuha (@nasuhajamil) October 31, 2020

1st april 2019-30th Oct 2020. M09214 signing off pic.twitter.com/xhx2YqaAVP
— muhammad ariff (@ariff_ahmadd) October 31, 2020

30th October 2020. Thank you Malindo Air for the best memories. Being the only Punjabi female in aircraft engineering in Malaysia, so close to getting my license. It meant alot. 5 years 4 months were wonderful. Also being pregnant to the challenging breastfeeding journey. Haha. pic.twitter.com/zC20XUM3Ao
— hasvinkaurgill (@mrs_ssd) October 31, 2020

Thank you everyone for your kind words. It was crucial 24 hours but I guess this is it. Sadly I've to clips my wings for real. CC Shazwanie M07856 door disarmed and crossed check. Signing off. pic.twitter.com/jo6mYJxHEI
— n (@niniersln) October 31, 2020

Officially Signing Off 3years 6month The moments may have ended, but the memories last forever Allah is the best planner #malindo #malindoair pic.twitter.com/ZM9qosP2XW
— Ms Lova (@FaeLovavaa) November 2, 2020

What is the government doing?

Minister of Human Resources Saravanan Murugun said the Labor Department had discussed with the management of Malindo Air, the Department of Industrial Relations (JPP), and the Social Security Organization (Socso) to discuss issues on compliance with labor laws and welfare of the workers.

As of 2 November 2020, JPP has received a total of 31 cases of representation of work rehabilitation under section 20 of Act 177 involving former Malindo Air employees.

24 cases were successfully resolved through peace talks while the remaining seven cases are still in negotiation process.

What’s next?

Employees who feel that their termination of service is being done unfairly and without reasonable grounds have the right to file a representation of work rehabilitation under Section 20 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967.

Malindo Air workers who were laid off could also seek Employment Allowance (EMP) assistance for up to six months under the Employment Insurance System (SIP).

Payment of allowances will be made for between 30% and 80% of their last drawn salary under a RM4,000 salary limit.

Saravanan also encouraged those affected to register with the MYFutureJobs Portal to help them generate temporary income and stay afloat while looking for new permanent jobs.