
Singapore-based Jetstar Asia to pay four weeks' salary per year of service to over 500 laid-off staff
Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025
By: Malay Mail Text Size: Retrenched staff will also get a FY2025 bonus, a special thank-you payment, and extended staff travel perks matching their years of service. — Reuters pic SINGAPORE: Jetstar Asia will cease operations on July 31, with over 500 employees in Singapore set to lose their jobs, parent company Qantas announced today. Channel News Asia (CNA) reported that affected staff will receive a retrenchment package that includes four weeks' salary for every year of service, a bonus for the 2025 financial year, a special thank you payment, and continued access to staff travel benefits for a period equivalent to their tenure.
Advertisement 'We are committed to supporting team members who are impacted by this announcement the best way we can,' a Jetstar Asia spokesman said. 'This includes providing redundancy benefits, career transition support and roles and opportunities across the Qantas Group and with other airlines and aviation partners in Singapore where possible.' The Singapore Manual and Mercantile Workers' Union (SMMWU), which represents some of the affected workers, said it had been informed of the permanent closure and has been actively engaging with the company. 'We negotiated with the company to ensure that affected members and workers are treated with care and receive fair compensation,' said SMMWU secretary-general Andy Lim. The union added that it would continue supporting its members with job placement assistance, career advisory services and financial aid during the transition. The Taskforce for Responsible Retrenchment and Employment Facilitation, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Manpower, Workforce Singapore, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), also said it was working closely with the airline and SMMWU to assist the workers. It noted that Jetstar Asia had committed to a retrenchment package in line with the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment. 'Our priority is to help the affected employees with employment facilitation,' the taskforce said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Express
7 hours ago
- Daily Express
High-profile cases now wrapped up in six months
Published on: Thursday, June 12, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 12, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Azam said one of the main factors that enabled the shorter investigation period was the improvement of investigation modules and systems by reviewing outdated elements in the commission's procedures. - Bernama pic BANGI: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has shortened the investigation period for high-profile cases from one and a half years to just six months, thanks to the implementation of new approaches, including upskilling officers and utilising the latest technology. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said one of the main factors that enabled the shorter investigation period was the improvement of investigation modules and systems by reviewing outdated elements in the commission's procedures. Advertisement 'In the past, one high-profile case could take us about one and a half years to complete the investigation papers, but now we can complete them within six months. Secondly, we enhance our officers' skills and knowledge. 'About 10 years ago, we needed to dispatch many officers to conduct surveillance. But now, we just use technology to locate suspects and witnesses. So, in a very short period, we can locate the suspect or the person we want to find,' he said. Azam said this at a press conference after attending the 2025 MACC-NTU International Law Enforcement Programme Convocation here today. In addition, Azam said the MACC has also established strategic collaborations with external parties to strengthen its investigation capabilities, especially in technical aspects and financial forensics. He said international cooperation also plays a vital role, particularly in tracing and recovering assets located abroad. 'We also collaborate with many parties. For example, our collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants helps us with asset tracing and forensic accounting,' he said. On the need to increase staffing, Azam said that although there was a rise in the number of reports from 2020 to April 2025, totalling 34,819, mass recruitment of MACC officers is not the primary solution to strengthening anti-corruption efforts. 'I do not see that adding a large number of MACC officers is the solution to combat corruption in this country. The most important thing is our approach,' he said, adding that during the same period, 5,145 investigation papers were opened, leading to the arrest of 5,703 individuals. He said that out of these arrests, 2,479 individuals were prosecuted and 1,274 were subsequently convicted in court. The MACC also recorded significant financial enforcement outcomes, including the seizure of RM3.54 billion in assets and the forfeiture of an additional RM27.87 billion. At today's convocation, 250 people graduated from the programme, and they have now been appointed as new MACC officers. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
8 hours ago
- Daily Express
Vietnam's lawmakers approve merging provinces, slashing nearly 80,000 jobs
Published on: Thursday, June 12, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 12, 2025 By: AFP Text Size: The move to streamline administrative bodies aimed to shift Vietnam's approach from passive management to active public service. (EPA Images pic) HANOI: Vietnam's National Assembly on Thursday approved plans to merge provinces and cities, slashing nearly 80,000 state jobs, as part of major reforms to the communist country's administrative structure. Lawmakers voted to reduce the country's 63 provincial and city administrations to just 34, as the government looks to radically cut state expenditure. Advertisement The move comes after the government cut the number of ministries and agencies from 30 to 22 in February, resulting in 23,000 job losses. Vietnam's top leader To Lam has said the drastic restructuring of the country's governance is needed if it is to achieve 'fast, stable and sustainable development'. In Thursday's vote, the assembly – a rubber-stamp body in a one-party system – approved the government's plans by 461 ballots to one, with three abstentions. Only 11 provinces and cities are left unchanged by the reform, with the rest all merged. Interior minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra said it amounted to the 'biggest ever revolution since the country was founded' in 1945, state media reported on Wednesday. '79,339 officials will have to be streamlined, quitting their jobs or submitting for early retirement following the merge,' Tra told the National Assembly. One provincial official told AFP he was 'shocked and sad' as he will have to leave his position after more than 30 years of public service. 'I may receive some billion dong in compensation, but I am not happy,' the 58-year-old communist party member said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'I don't know what to do now though I think I am still completely fit for work.' The streamlined administrative bodies will be expected to 'shift from passive management to active service to the people', said Lam, the Communist Party general secretary and most powerful figure in the country. 'I think the merge is good for all and I fully support it,' said Nguyen Thang Loi, 52, from northern Thai Binh province, which is being merged. 'Though I feel really sad as the name of my native province, which has lasted generations, will now be gone. It's so weird to say I come from Hung Yen,' Loi told AFP. According to the government, all cities and provinces will announce their new leadership on June 30 and start full operation at the beginning of July. In the next few days, the National Assembly will vote on an amended national constitution, under which the country's three-level administrative structure of province, district and commune will be reduced to two. The middle district level will be eliminated and the commune level expanded. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
8 hours ago
- Daily Express
66 licensed Sipitang roadside traders receive RM5,000
Published on: Thursday, June 12, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 12, 2025 Text Size: Dr Yusof presented mock cheques, symbolising the one-off state government aid to licensed roadside traders in Sipitang. SIPITANG: A total of 66 licensed roadside stall operators in Sipitang received a one-off RM5,000 assistance from the Sabah State Government today. The aid, part of the Sabah Budget 2025, was handed over by Qhazanah Sabah Berhad Chairman and Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob during a ceremony at the town's multipurporse hall. Advertisement Dr Yusof said the initiative aims to support small traders who are vital to the local economy. He emphasized that the assistance reflects the GRS-PH Plus state government's ongoing efforts to ease the burden of the rakyat. 'This is among several programs implemented to care for the welfare of the people, including SUKUR (Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat), the Sabah People's Insurance Scheme, and Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya,' he said. He added that the initiatives benefit all Sabahans, whether in urban or rural areas, countering opposition claims that the government has failed to deliver on welfare promises. Also present were Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah, Assistant District Officer Jeefri Yusof, and Sipitang District Council Executive Officer Hamsad Abdul Wahid. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia