Penang govt willing to assist retrenched MAS staff

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is willing to assist and provide job opportunities to the 6,000 plus Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) employees who are expected to be retrenched on Monday over its restructuring move.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that the state was concerned over such a move and sympathises with the affected staff.
He said the retrenchment was unjust to the staff as it is due to poor management of the company.
"We also express our solidarity to MAS staff, " he said at a press conference in Komtar today.
He was commenting on news reports that the service of 20,000 MAS staff will be terminated to restructure the airline.
Two thirds of the employees would be re-hired in a new company which will start operations on Sept 1.
Lim pointed out that there was a high demand for talent in the state's hospitality industry for retrenched MAS staff to consider.
He added that most of the staff had been with the company for years and their contributions should be appreciated.
"We hope their rights are protected," he said, adding that the state is looking for a mechanism to lend a helping hand to them.