RJ readies for staff cuts, offers incentives for ‘voluntary dismissal’

AMMAN — Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) and the General Union for Air Transport and Tourism on Sunday signed a collective contract allowing the airline's employees to apply for “voluntary dismissal” until February 29.

The collective contract, signed by RJ’s President and CEO Stefan Pichler and union President Yousef Qannab, allows employees who apply “voluntarily for dismissal” and obtain the company’s approval to receive half of a month’s salary for every year of service at the airline, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Pichler said during the signing that the agreement is part of a restructuring plan that the company is implementing in its endeavours to increase profits. 

This plan, he said, involves lowering the number of staff through a mechanism that guarantees the freedom of employees to voluntarily apply to end their service.

The CEO also expressed his appreciation for all of RJ’s employees, and his pride in their "professionalism, expertise and keenness to serve [the company’s] passengers".

As for demands recently voiced by RJ flight attendants at the company, he said that the company is “completely committed” to applying the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission Law and regulations of relevant international institutions.

For his part, Qannab expressed the union's keenness to follow up on employees’ labour rights and ensure that they receive all their rights upon “applying for dismissal”.

He also expressed his appreciation for RJ employees' “immense efforts in all locations to present the best services for passengers”.