In the wake of MYAirline’s abrupt shutdown, a young air steward, aged 22, found himself amidst an unforeseen crisis.
He was one of the many employees who were left bewildered by the airline’s sudden decision to cease operations on October 12.
Speaking to WeirdKaya, he sheds light on the internal turmoil and the emotional toll on the staff.
‘It was my first job, and then…‘
We spent around 45 days of training and everything went smoothly overall, there was no signs of anything wrong with the company.”
However, he describes as a “rushed contract signing” — a mere week given to decide.
“We were in training, paid minimum wage, and everything seemed normal,” he recalls. But this normalcy was short-lived.
Crew panicked over shutdown
The news of the shutdown hit like a bolt out of the blue.
I had just finished a flight, and the next morning, it was total panic,” he shares.
The departure of their CEO citing health issues had already sparked rumors, but the closure was still a shock.
“We knew something was off when our EPF wasn’t paid for months,” he adds, highlighting the financial mismanagement.
Further frustrations were voiced over unpaid Employee Provident Fund (EPF) contributions for 3-4 months, despite deductions from their paychecks.
‘Employed’ but no work assignments
According to a press conference on October 16, the interim CEO spoke about the employees’ situation and stated that no staff members had been terminated.
When asked about the aftermath and his current employment status, he says, “After the announcement, management told us we were still employed and under contract, asking us to be patient while they looked for new investors.”
“On the day of the annoucement, I was at an EPF branch to report months of unpaid EPF funds. Hearing what they had to say only deepened our disappointment, especially since they weren’t paying us.”
“They gave us RM100.17 after a two-week delay. It felt like a joke,” he laments.
This token amount seemed almost insulting, especially in light of their mounting bills and rent commitments.
Luckily, a sense of camaraderie and mutual support emerged among the MYAirline staff.
Initiatives were undertaken to collect essential supplies and distribute them to those most in need.
Some members of the cabin crew even made personal efforts to deliver food directly to the homes of their struggling colleagues.
Some left, others took up the customer service roles
Despite the absence of formal work assignments from MYAirline, the management called for volunteers to assist in customer service roles, offering a daily wage of RM130.
This request came at a time when numerous employees, particularly from the cabin crew, were actively seeking employment opportunities elsewhere.
This led to a significant number of them attending interviews and eventually leaving MYAirline, in search of more stable and reliable employment amidst the uncertainty.
Reflecting on the days leading to the shutdown, he mentions regular salary delays.
Pilots and crew members were affected. I had to ask my parents for help, which was humiliating,” he admits.
Salary and bond issues
At 22, his career stands at a crossroads.
Initially, the management had offered to pardon the bond for employees, but recent rumors suggest a potential bond installment plan instead.
“They first said they’d pardon the bond, now there’s talk of a bond installment,” he reveals, indicating the shifting narratives from MYAirline’s management.
His immediate plan is to find part-time work, hoping for a resolution from the airline.
