The authorities of Philippine Airlines (PAL) will lay off about 2,300 employees by March representing 30 percent of the airlines’ workforce, in order to weather the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic which walloped the global aviation sector. It is reported the layoff include both voluntary separations and involuntary firings.
The latest move by the airline was announced to its employees in September last year, but the implementation was delayed. The layoff plan is accordance to the PAL’s rebound program to ensure its survival in the global stage.
PAL, told the media, “This has been an extremely difficult and painful decision. For our colleagues who are leaving, rest assured that we are committed to support you through this transition. We extend to you our deepest gratitude for your years of hard work and dedicated service, and we will always cherish the ties you have established with the PAL family. Air travel was “still far from pre-pandemic levels”. The airline was currently operating less than 30 percent of its normal pre-pandemic number of weekly flights. Since March 2020, PAL has suspended capital expenditures, reduced management salaries, deferred lease payments and slashed non-essential expenses.”
The airlines’ utilised temporary furloughs and flexible working arrangements to hold off job cuts and ensure employees receive their salary on time, including benefits such as medical remuneration during the pandemic outbreak.
The global aviation segment has been the victim to the impacts of the pandemic. Apart from the Philippine Airlines, there are many other global airlines which are compelled to make changes in their operations and staffing.