The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said it is “dismayed” at Yahoo and Ninja Van for axing employees just before Labour Day, an occasion to celebrate workers’ contributions.
“We understand that companies do need to undergo restructuring exercises from time to time, but they should be considerate about the timing of such exercises and avoid doing exercises during such periods,” the labour movement said in a media statement on Tuesday (Apr 29).
The statement came after news reports of retrenchment from both companies on Monday (April 29).
17 employees from Yahoo, which comprised the entire Singapore editorial and social media teams, were told to leave the firm by May 7 in the tech giant’s efforts to change its editorial strategy. That same day, Ninja Van laid off 21 tech staff following a “cost evaluation” that determined that they were “no longer required”.
As of now, both Ninja Van and Yahoo are not unionised.
According to a report by CNA, NTUC shared that its affiliated unions—the Creative Media and Publishing Union (CMPU) and the Supply Chain Employees’ Union Singapore (SCEU)—will contact general branch members to provide support to workers who may be affected.
“In the event of retrenchment, companies must ensure openness, transparency and consultation with unions and workers,” the labour movement added.
Companies are urged to observe the guiding principles outlined in NTUC’s Fair Retrenchment Framework, which aims to protect the Singaporean core of the workforce, preserve jobs and provide job support.
Affected Yahoo employees may contact CMPU for assistance, while retrenched workers at Ninja Van can approach SCEU.
Featured Image Credit: Yahoo via LinkedIn/Ninja Van Singapore