Nufam cries double standards, asks why MAS case exempt from hearing

The National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) has lambasted Human Resources Minister Richard Riot Jaem for practising double standards in his decision to not refer 3,600 cases of former-Malaysia Airline System (MAS) Berhad workers to the Industrial Court.

As an example, Nufam cited how former Rayani Air employees allegedly had their cases heard in court after the airline had its license revoked.

“We wonder why Rayani Air or other airlines retrenchment cases were referred to court. We have proof that these cases have been referred by the Minister and are currently being heard.

“(Plus,) there have been many cases previously filed against bankrupt companies and the court will even issue a warrant to arrest these directors if they fail to appear in court to answer to the case.

“He (Riot) can be seen (as) biased for not allowing thousands of these (MAS) cases to be referred to court...is it merely to protect MAS?” asked the union in a statement today.

Earlier today, Riot (photo) explained that his decision was based on how MAS “no longer existed”, referring to how MAS was rebranded as Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) in 2015 after it was delisted, and had its operations taken over by government sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

"If the company has gone bankrupt or has wound up, we can't go after the company.

"And by law, we can't go after the individuals (responsible for the retrenchment) either," he had said.

As part of its rescue plan for the national carrier, Khazanah retrenched 6,000 workers - more than half of whom were cabin crew, who took up their cases to the ministry through Nufam.

Nufam criticised Riot for going back on his words and said the explanation was “absolutely disastrous in the name of labour justice”, vowing to continue pursuing the 3,600 cases.

“He (Riot) was previously quoted as being supportive of MAS in their retrenchment exercise (because) it was done fairly. (But now) he has failed to live up to the justice system, workers have suffered due to his decisions.

“Nufam will do whatever possible to pursue these cases to court for the thousands of (former MAS) workers whose rights have been hampered by the minister. These workers will not waver until all channels are being used,” it said.- Mkini