National Trades Union Congress exploring options to match retrenched Jetstar Asia staff to roles at SIA Group: Labour chief
Jetstar Asia said it will support the workers with retrenchment packages and employment support. - ST
SINGAPORE: The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is exploring possible opportunities to match retrenched Jetstar Asia employees, including crew and corporate staff, to suitable roles with the Singapore Airlines Group, said labour chief Ng Chee Meng.
Over 500 employees from Jetstar Asia will be retrenched following the closure of the Singapore-based low-cost airline on July 31.
In a Facebook post on June 11, Ng said that the NTUC Aerospace and Aviation Cluster will work with Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport Group to identify opportunities for the affected employees as well.
He said: 'The news of Jetstar Asia's closure is a hit for the many employees of the airline. They have contributed much to the airline over the years.'
He added that the NTUC and Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers' Union (SMMWU) were informed of the retrenchments in advance, and SMMWU has been working closely with Jetstar Asia to support the workers.
The retrenchment benefits provided are in line with the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment, but support goes beyond just financial compensation, Ng added.
Starting next week, NTUC and NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute will be on-site at Changi Airport Terminal 1 to provide direct support, including career coaching, skills upgrading, and employability assistance, he said.
In a statement on Wednesday (June 11), Jetstar Asia said it will support workers with retrenchment packages, employment support, or provide them with other opportunities within the Qantas group or with other airlines and aviation companies in Singapore.
The airline's closure is part of a 'strategic restructure' by its parent company, Australian flag carrier Qantas.
Retrenched employees will receive a redundancy payment of four weeks per year of service, a bonus for this financial year, a special 'thank you' payment as well as other benefits.
In a separate statement, the Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers' Union (SMMWU) said it has worked closely with management and negotiated with the company to ensure that affected members and workers receive fair compensation.
SMMWU is affiliated with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). Jetstar Asia has been unionised since 2009.
An inter-agency task force on retrenchment said in a separate statement that it is working closely with Jetstar and the SMMWU to support the affected workers.
Called the Taskforce for Responsible Retrenchment and Employment Facilitation, it comprises the Ministry of Manpower, Workforce Singapore, the NTUC and the NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute.
'Our priority is to help the affected employees with employment facilitation," said the taskforce in a statement. - The Straits Times/ANN
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