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Cathay Pacific layoffs. Latest | Cut 8500 jobs, Dragonair ceases operations today, Labour Department sets up a dedicated line to help employees

2020-10-21T08:40:19.977Z


The new crown pneumonia epidemic is raging around the world. With the implementation of "customs closure" prevention and control measures in many countries, the tourism industry has almost ceased, and airlines have also fallen into an unprecedented "ice age". Cathay Pacific and Dragonair previously abandoned applications for the second round of employment protection programs It is accused of paving the way for layoffs, and there has been news of substantial layoffs recently. Cathay Pacific finally issued a notice this morning, announcing a restructuring plan and cutting 8,500 positions. Among the 8,500 positions, about 5,300 employees in Hong Kong will be laid off in the next few weeks.


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Written by: Yuen Shu, Kong Fanxu, Mai Kaiyin, Huang Weilun, Chen Jiayi, Huang Yongyu, Chen Shuxia

2020-10-21 07:51

Last update date: 2020-10-21 16:29

The new crown pneumonia epidemic is raging around the world. With the implementation of "customs closure" prevention and control measures in many countries, the tourism industry has almost ceased, and airlines have also fallen into an unprecedented "ice age". Cathay Pacific and Dragonair previously abandoned applications for the second round of employment protection programs It is accused of paving the way for layoffs, and there has been news of substantial layoffs recently.

Cathay Pacific finally issued a notice this morning, announcing a restructuring plan and cutting 8,500 positions.

Among the 8,500 positions, about 5,300 employees in Hong Kong will be laid off in the next few weeks.

[15:20] Cathay Pacific responded to inquiries that the distribution of the number of laid-off employees is:

About 4,000 cabin crew (Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon), about 600 pilots (Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon), about 700 airport ground staff and headquarters staff.

Cathay Dragon has laid off about 2,500 pilots and cabin attendants.

Cathay Pacific layoffs | Dragonair lays off 2,500 employees, half of them are laid off by the Labour Department to help affected employees

[15:10] A spokesperson for the Labour Department expressed great concern about the incident and reminded Cathay Pacific to communicate frankly with employees on termination of employment and make proper arrangements.

The spokesman also said: "Employers who wish to change the terms of the employment contract should consult with their employees in advance and obtain their consent. Otherwise, it may constitute an unreasonable change to the terms of the employment contract. The employee can lodge a claim with the employer under the Employment Ordinance."

The Labour Department provides assistance to affected employees. If you have any questions about the Employment Ordinance and its employment rights, you can call the special hotlines 3580 1442 and 3580 1443 of the Labour Department for enquiries, or visit the branch offices of the Labour Relations Division of the Labour Department ( www.labour.gov.hk/tc/tele/lr1.htm) for assistance.

In addition, the Labour Department has set up an employment service hotline 3428 2943 for Cathay Pacific employees to answer enquiries about employment services.

All 13 job centers of the Labour Department (www.labour.gov.hk/tc/tele/es3.htm) have also set up counters to provide priority registration and employment services for Cathay Pacific employees.

[13:30] When asked if he would sell other assets or subsidiaries, such as asiamiles and catering business, He Yili said that this time there is no plan to have any other "actions" beyond the restructuring plan.

He also pointed out that in the past, he had not received any offer for acquisition or merger.

Cathay Pacific layoffs | Management said sadly that it can continue to operate after cutting 500 million monthly cash expenditures

Cathay Pacific layoffs | The labor gap is more than 800, and the annual salary of air crew is more than 3 million. 5 sets of figures look at the prosperity and decline

[13:16] Deng Jianrong said that although the company's cash flow is "sound", the monthly cash expenditure of 1.5 to 2 billion yuan is impossible to sustain, and it needs "decisive reorganization" to maintain a sustainable level of cash flow.

After this layoff, about 500 million yuan in cash expenses can be saved every month, which is of great help in maintaining operations.

As for the suspension of Dragonair, its domestic and regional routes will be handed over to Cathay Pacific and Express to apply for continued use. There will be no Dragonair brand in the future, which represents the 35-year old brand farewell to Hong Kong people.

He is convinced that after the reorganization of Cathay Pacific in the future, with its high-quality brands, it can still play its role as a hub in the Asia Pacific region.

He also pointed out that Hong Kong can play an important role in the development of the Greater Bay Area and therefore has great confidence in the future.

As for the role of the government in this incident, Deng Jianrong pointed out that the observer appointed by the government only mentioned that shareholders should pay attention to social responsibility, even when making commercial decisions.

He Yili and Deng Jianrong met with the media via video call.

Cathay Pacific layoffs | Chen Fan choked: Feeling unemployed and sad for employees, investment is not only for the prospects of a single company

[13:02] Cathay Pacific Chairman He Yili and Chief Executive Officer Deng Jianrong held a video conference to meet with the media. He Yili said that since the outbreak of the global epidemic, the passenger capacity has only dropped to 2 to 3% of the past.

He pointed out that in order to avoid the company's bankruptcy, a comprehensive reorganization is necessary for sustainable development. The reorganization plan drawn up by the management has been submitted to the board of directors and was formally approved last night. It will cut 24% of the global 35,000 employees by 24%, including 5,300 Hong Kong employees.

Cathay Dragon will suspend operations and the waypoints will be operated by HK express.

He described the decision as a "heartache" and he felt very sorry for the employees affected, and understood that it would affect the families of the employees involved.

He hopes that when the aviation industry recovers in the future, he can recruit new staff.

He also pointed out that in the past few months, 1.5 to 2 billion Hong Kong dollars in cash has been consumed every month, admitting that it is impossible to afford it in the long term. The job cuts this time can save about 500 million in monthly cash expenses.

He Yili also said that he felt difficult, uneasy, and sad to make today's decision, and once again felt very sorry for the affected employees.

He pointed out that he will continue to serve Hong Kong in the future and believes that there will still be opportunities for development in the future.

Some affected employees received email notifications and ceased to be Cathay Pacific employees starting Thursday.

(Provided by readers)

[12:57] Some of the laid-off employees have received email notifications, and the employee contract will be terminated tomorrow.

[12:15] Cathay Pacific Air Services Staff Association Chairman Wang Simin saw the media. She said that the company’s management had just explained the compensation plan to the union, including that it would not hedge the MPF, and that there would be an additional month’s salary compensation. As for the previous participation without pay Colleagues of the fake plan can get a refund of the deducted money, but she thinks the plan is not "very lucrative."

She also revealed that Cathay Pacific alone has 2,000 employees leaving.

She pointed out that the union was disappointed with the layoff plan because the employer only provided compensation for one month's salary, which was lower than the months they expected.

She also pointed out that the company will notify the retrenched employees today, and believe that it will take effect today, "All classes have it, not just the low-level and middle-level areas that are hardest hit." As for whether industrial actions will be launched, she said it depends on the wishes of the employees, but Morale is low and the atmosphere is sad.

She revealed that she will continue to meet with the management in the afternoon to discuss the new contract.

Cathay Pacific Layoffs | No one-month compensation union against MPF: don't think it is very lucrative

[11:59] The employees of Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon received another email this morning to explain related arrangements for layoffs.

The content of the email mentioned that the employees affected by the layoffs will be notified by the Human Resources Department from tomorrow to the next few weeks, and will need to attend the meeting. The relevant compensation plan will be explained.

[11:30] Tan Wenhao, a member of the Legislative Council who served as a pilot at Cathay Pacific Airways, said that Cathay Pacific received 27 billion yuan injection from the government only two months earlier. However, the government was unable to successfully get Cathay Pacific to work. It was worried that the incident might cause a domino effect and make other companies follow Cathay Pacific to lay off employees.

He hopes that Cathay Pacific will give priority to hiring retrenched employees when the aviation industry recovers, and now it should also assist the retrenched pilots to maintain their licenses.

Cathay Pacific Layoffs|Tan Wenhao: Sadness about the decision leads to a domino effect

The government should no longer use private companies as an excuse after injecting capital, because there are two people arranged by the government on the board of directors, and they should do their best to save their airlines.

He also believes that most of Dragonair’s training is in Hong Kong, so the government or Cathay Pacific should assist them in transferring to other companies, or arrange to stay on without pay to avoid brain drain.

Cathay Pacific layoffs | The government injected 27.3 billion yuan in mid-year Chen Maobo: business restructuring is a commercial decision

[09:39] Senior human resources consultant Zhou Qiping said that in the current downturn in the aviation industry, employees in the industry can only change careers, and there is not much advantage. "The flight attendants are no different from ordinary waiters and customer services."

Both Su Weizhong, general manager of Hezhong Personnel Consulting Co., Ltd., and Zhang Huimin, corporate management consultant, believe that the aviation industry is declining under the epidemic, and if employees are laid off by Cathay Pacific, it will be more difficult to transfer to other airlines.

However, Zhang Huimin believes that Cathay Pacific's large-scale layoffs may be an opportunity for employees to reconsider their career plans and work in industries that interest them.

Extended reading: Senior HR expects laid-off employees to be difficult to work "Air service landing is no different from ordinary waiters"

[09:10] Cathay Pacific announced today (21st) morning a restructuring plan to cut 8,500 positions.

Among the 8,500 positions, about 5,300 employees in Hong Kong will be laid off in the next few weeks. Cathay Pacific’s Chief Executive Officer Deng Jianrong sent a letter to employees stating that all feasible measures have been taken to protect the livelihoods of as many employees as possible. He still consumes HK$1.5 billion to HK$2 billion in cash every month. He described the decision in his letter as distressing, thanking "our outstanding employees, and we are facing difficulties together", and he also said that every employee who is about to leave must feel very much at this moment. I apologize for anxiety and distress.

Extended reading: CEO Deng Jianrong: I am very sorry to decide to understand the anxiety and distress of the leaving colleague

Cathay Pacific CEO Deng Jianrong sent a letter to employees on October 21, apologizing for the layoffs.

(Photo by Gong Jiasheng)

[08:28] Cathay Pacific announced its restructuring plan. The first of these is to announce that Dragonair will cease operations from now on. "Hong Kong 01" recalls the history of Dragonair's transformation from Cathay Pacific's competitor to its subordinate.

Cathay Pacific’s local competitor in the last century was Dragonair. In 1985, the "Hong Kong Macau International Investment Co., Ltd." composed of businessmen Cao Guangbiao, Bao Yugang, Fok Yingdong and Chinese-funded institutions China Resources and China Merchants was established. However, due to continuous losses, In 1989, Cathay Pacific deployed Dragonair to take over Dragonair as its second largest shareholder the following year.

Extended reading: Farewell to Hong Kong Dragon, Cathay Pacific, finally withdrawing the brand after 14 years of whale

[08:14] Cathay Pacific Airways, which has been rumored to be layoffs and reorganization, today (21st) announced its final plan to lay off 8,500 employees.

You are the leader of the local aviation industry. Cathay Pacific has been rooted in Hong Kong for more than 70 years. There have been countless years of prosperity. It has also been named the best airline in the world. Unfortunately, its performance has declined in recent years and the failure of oil futures investment has caused losses. 30 years of "blue chip" status.

Under the epidemic, the global aviation industry is in recession, and the temporary recovery is indefinite. Cathay Pacific, which has experienced many industrial storms, Asian financial turmoil, and SARS, also requires government capital injection for unprecedented proportions.

"Hong Kong 01" looks back on Cathay Pacific's past 70 years of history.

Extended reading: A review of Cathay Pacific’s history once lost its blue chip status

[08:06] Cathay Pacific said that the most optimistic estimate is that the passenger capacity in 2021 will be much lower than 50% in 2019; it also said that it is assumed that the vaccine currently developed is proven effective and can be successfully launched globally next summer , The company believes that the capacity will gradually pick up until the second half of next year.

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[07:54] In the announcement, Cathay Pacific’s management put forward three major elements of the restructuring plan, including:

1. Dragonair ceased operations today;



2. Cut 8,500 positions, accounting for 24% of all positions, involving 5,300 Hong Kong-based employees; another 600 non-Hong Kong-based employees may be affected; recruitment freezes, 2600 positions remain vacant .

3. The cabin attendants and pilots stationed in Hong Kong will be required to agree to change their service conditions, so as to achieve the goals including bringing salary closer to productivity and enhancing market competitiveness.

The cost of the restructuring is approximately 2.2 billion yuan, and it is expected that the restructuring will reduce Cathay Pacific’s monthly cash expenditure by approximately 500 million yuan next year.

[07:52] Cathay Pacific Airways issued a notice this morning, announcing its restructuring plan and cutting 8,500 positions.

Among the 8,500 positions, about 5,300 employees stationed in Hong Kong will be laid off in the next few weeks, and about 600 non-Hong Kong employees may be affected, subject to the regulatory requirements of the relevant regions.

Cathay Pacific reportedly announced its layoff plan on Wednesday as soon as possible

Cathay Pacific layoffs | News: the soonest announced the restructuring plan tomorrow, local layoffs more than 4000 people

Cathay Pacific announces layoffs|Dragon Trade Union: No one can be left without a colleague, willing to provide wages and benefits

Cathay Pacific layoffs | It’s rumored to announce 4,000 layoffs as soon as this week. Cathay Pacific Dragon Trade Union: Panic

Cathay Pacific's passenger capacity plunged by 98% in September, expected to operate passenger capacity below 50% next year

Cathay Pacific Layoffs | Layoffs or more than 4,000 experts teach 6 ways to protect yourself from being fired

Cathay Pacific's passenger traffic in September is still down 98.1% year-on-year thanks to students studying in the UK, and its capacity next year will be less than 50%

Cathay Pacific layoffs|The layoff plan will be announced as soon as this week, or about 4000 employees will be involved

It is rumored that Cathay Pacific will lay off employees or cut salaries by 40% from next Tuesday: Do not comment on rumors

Cathay Pacific rumored to lay off staff | The union is rumored to start next Tuesday: no rumors have been heard

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Cathay Pacific Airways Cathay Pacific layoffs 01 Video I am home

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2020-10-21

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