South African Airways may fire a fifth of its workforce

JOHANNESBURG: South African Airways has started a restructuring process that could see the cash-strapped state-owned carrier cut its workforce by almost a fifth.

As required by South African law, the airline has started talks with labor unions about its plans, which could affect 944 of its 5,149 employees, SAA said in an emailed statement late Monday. The proposed reorganization includes all SAA divisions and departments, excluding low-cost arm Mango, Air Chefs and the SAA Technical unit, it said.