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BY MUZLIZA MUSTAFA
The flight attendants union has given the thumbs-up to the plan for the takeover of Malaysia Airlines by Khazanah Nasional, saying it would be in the best interests of MAS employees including its 3,500 cabin crew.
“Our worries were the welfare of the workers and with the government takeover, the issue of cutting down the workforce is no longer there. I do not think the government would want to do that while the world is watching,” said National Union of Flight Attendants (Nufam) president Ismail Nasaruddin.
He said the takeover by the government’s investment arm would give the flight attendants job security after months of uncertainty.
“If it had been taken over by new owners, there would be a lot of people losing their jobs. We feel MAS will have the best chance of survival with this takeover. The workers will be much more at ease.
“The in-house administration and policies will also be monitored closely,” said Ismail.
He said the restructuring would also have to involve the top management.
“We have seen years pass by and MAS still suffering losses but with the takeover, we are positive that with better monitoring and implementation, the national flag carrier can regain its glory,” Ismail said.
MAS was hit with RM1.2 billion in losses in 2013 and the twin air disasters of MH370 and MH17 this year.
The incidents have had a significant impact on the airline’s performance this year.
Ismail said the union would be monitoring Khazanah’s move to turn MAS into a profitable entity.
“This is only the first stage of execution. We want to see how they are going to do this, and the second and third phases of restructuring, and whether it will be beneficial to the employees too, especially the flight attendants – whether their needs and welfare will be taken care of. That is paramount,” he said.
He added that the takeover plan had received mixed responses from those on the ground.
“We cannot please everyone but we can make them understand what the process will entail.
“If this move will cause more harm to the workers and jeopardise their livelihood, then we will fight. After all, this is what the union does, fight for the best interest of its members,” he said.
Ismail also said MAS had to be allowed to succeed as it was a national asset.
“No other hands should take over other than the government as MAS also belongs to the people of Malaysia,” he said. – August 9, 2014.
Source: The Malaysian Insider
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