KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — The Social Security Organisation (Socso) has carried out five intervention programmes to help unravel the problems faced by employees of the cash-strapped low-cost airline, MYAirline Sdn Bhd (MYAirline).
Sosco group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said the first intervention was held through an online meeting with the airline’s human resources management on October 12, immediately after MYAirline announced the suspension of operations.
Based on information on the current situation of the airline’s employees, Socso then collaborated with Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS) to plan efforts to absorb MYAirline employees through interviews for cabin crew, engineer and customer service positions on October 14.
The development led to two more online and physical meetings on October 18 and October 19, respectively.
“The meeting involving MYAirline’s top management is to draw up a follow-up programme, which needs to be held as soon as possible, to ensure the welfare and survival of the airline’s employees are protected.
“The outcome of the meeting then led to a briefing on the benefits of the Employment Insurance System (SIP) and employee profiling, by the Employment Service Officer for MYAirline staff located in Subang Jaya, for two days starting Oct 25,” he said in a statement today.
Through the briefing, Socso also obtained details of MYAirline employees to process 357 SIP benefit applications for a maximum period of six months to ensure their families’ survival.
Azman added that Socso’s efforts to channel aid to resolve the crisis experienced by MYAirline workers also received cooperation from the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam).
The status of MYAirline’s employee service contract was one of the factors affecting the benefit application process via the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800).
However, Socso will continue to multiply efforts towards channelling aid, including providing benefits, new job placements, and improving skills among MYAirline employees.
He said it is crucial for employers to ensure Socso contributions for employees are made per regulations because if employers are negligent, their welfare will be affected when layoffs occur.
Socso takes a serious view of employers who are not registered and making contributions for their workers to Socso. Strict action will be taken if there is any non-compliance with the matter.
Previously, MYAirline announced the suspension of its operations with effect from October 12 until further notice, among other things, due to financial pressures, which caused operations to be suspended pending shareholder restructuring and company recapitalisation.
Yesterday, the Malaysian Civil Aviation Commission (Mavcom) announced that it had suspended MYAirline’s Air Service Licence (ASL) with immediate effect.
The suspension will protect the interests of passengers and employees affected by the suspension of MYAirline’s operations, as well as take into account the challenges faced by the aviation industry during the post-Covid-19 pandemic.
— Bernama
