HR Minister: Labour Dept to meet MYAirline bosses on staff situation

KUALA LUMPUR: The Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department will meet the MYAirline Sdn Bhd (MYAirline) management on Monday (Oct 16) over its sudden suspension of operations, says Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar.

He said the department and Social Security Organisation (Socso) had been instructed to look into the situation following the airline's announcement that it was immediately suspending operations on Thursday (Oct 12).

“The government is serious about solving the issue.

“Socso has called on (the airline staff) and has taken the necessary action.

“The Labour Department is meeting the airlines’ management today and will report to me later,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby here.

ALSO READ: Over 500 low-cost airline workers can expect Socso benefits if terminated, says Sivakumar

Sivakumar had been asked if the ministry would launch a formal investigation of claims by the airline's employees that they had not received their wages.

He had said earlier that if the low-cost airline's 500 employees were terminated, they could expect to receive benefits from Socso's Employment Insurance Scheme.

MYAIrline had announced the immediate suspension of its operations, citing financial pressures.

Earlier on Monday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the airline's licence would be suspended.

ALSO READ: MYAirline's licence to be suspended temporarily, says Loke

Loke also said MyAirline was expected to hold a press conference later in the day and added that the management had to offer an explanation as well as guarantees to its staff and passengers.

A motion on the MYAirline situation will also be debated in Parliament's Special Chamber at 2.30pm, with Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibullah fielding questions as Loke is scheduled to travel overseas for official matters.