Singapore Airlines wants power to stand workers down without pay in Australia in the event of an escalation of the Covid19 crisis

At a time of high anxiety in Australia about the prevalence of insecure work and financial pressure that has been exacerbated by the Covid19 Singapore Airlines is using the situation to try and further undermine worker’s entitlements according to the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

The ACTU says Singapore Airlines wants the power to stand workers down without pay in the event of an escalation of the Coronavirus crisis here in Australia.

Sally McManus says “Singapore airlines is trying to fly under the radar with this proposal to undermine worker’s entitlements at a time when it should be supporting its workforce through this crisis.”

In their current enterprise bargaining agreement negotiation, The airline has proposed that its workers must take  “unpaid leave where the employee is required by reason of legislation, regulation, order or direction (however described) by any Government, Government agency or regulatory body that the employee must be quarantined or isolated to prevent or minimise the spread of a contagious illness.”

Employers should be joining with unions to help guarantee workers’ job security and to stabilise the economy.

“At a time when employers should be actively encouraging and supporting workers who may be impacted by Coronavirus, Singapore Airlines is putting the risk of this disease back on workers and undermining public health.” Says Ms McManus.

Singapore Airlines cynical proposal only serves to weaken its commitments to its workforce under the guise of an occupational health and safety measure.

The ACTU calls on the Morrison government and all major employers to join in a concerted effort to defend the job security of Australian workers and put people before ideology at a time of national crisis.

Ms McManus says that It’s time Mr Morrison put workers first before his mates in big business.