No Layoffs At Mas For Now Saravanan

---

Amid reduced demand for travel in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, Human Resources Minister M Saravanan today reassured that the national carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd will not be laying off any of its over 13,0000 staff
"For the time being, there is no need for MAS to perform any layoffs
"The action to retrench any staff will be the last resort by MAS," Saravanan (photo) said in a statement
He also reiterated that MAS had instead offered its employees the option of taking three months no-pay leave or five days no-pay leave per month for at least three months, starting next month
"The voluntary leave application must receive permission and approval from the head of departments," he said
Saravanan said the ministry had met with the management of MAS on March 11 and was informed of initial actions taken since the Covid-19 outbreak, including to conduct a virtual briefing for all staff on March 10
The voluntary unpaid leave programme is also reportedly extended to employees at its parent company, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and subsidiaries including MAB Kargo, MAB Engineering, Firefly and MASwings
MAS in a statement on Thursday said that the leave programme is in line with the carrier's reduced operations following a capacity management exercise due to Covid-19
Meanwhile, Saravanan also urged all employers to comply with labour law provisions and collective agreement terms where applicable, in managing the impact of the outbreak to company operations
He added that the ministry will closely monitor and offer advice to employers on actions taken in relations to management of the coronavirus infection. - Mkini

---