4 days ago
Over 500 employees to be retrenched in Jetstar Asia's closure
Jetstar Asia said it will support the workers with retrenchment packages and employment support. ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW
Over 500 employees to be retrenched in Jetstar Asia's closure
SINGAPORE – Over 500 employees from Jetstar Asia will be retrenched following the closure of the Singapore-based low-cost airline on July 31.
In a statement on June 11, Jetstar Asia said it will support them 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.
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.
The company has committed to providing a comprehensive retrenchment package in line with the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment, SMMWU added.
SMMWU said it remains dedicated to supporting members and workers by providing job placement assistance and career advisory services across various industries, and financial aid, where necessary.
It said: 'The union would leverage the Labour Movement network, including the NTUC Aviation and Aerospace (A&A) cluster of unions, to assist affected members and workers with job placement and career advisory services within the A&A industry.'
Affected Singaporeans and permanent residents can tap NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute for job matching services, career coaching and skills upgrading advisory, it added.
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.
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