NTUC, SMMWU to support workers to be hit by Jetstar Asia closure

Over 500 employees are expected to be impacted.

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers’ Union (SMMWU) are working with Jetstar Asia to support workers who will be affected by the airline’s upcoming closure, according to NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng.

More than 500 workers are expected to be impacted.

NTUC and the NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) will be deployed at Changi Airport Terminal to help workers with job matching, career guidance, and training opportunities.

The Labour Chief also stated that NTUC will leverage its extensive Labour Movement network to assist impacted employees.

NTUC will match affected Jetstar Asia employees, including crew and corporate staff, to available suitable roles within Singapore Airlines, a unionised company.

Meanwhile, the NTUC Aviation and Aerospace cluster of unions will synchronise efforts with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport Group to identify potential job opportunities for displaced workers.

“Our focus remains on doing all we can to help workers land on their feet and move forward with confidence,” Ng said. “Transitions are never easy, but our workers will not go through this alone.”

Furthermore, the SMMWU Secretary-General Andy Lim said it has negotiated with the company to ensure retrenched workers and members will be “treated with care and receive fair compensation.”

Lim added that the union will also offer financial support and job placement help where needed.

Laid-off workers may also be eligible for temporary financial assistance of up to $6,000 over six months under the SkillsFuture Jobseekers Support Scheme.

Jetstar Asia, a Singapore-based budget airline owned by Australia’s Qantas Group, will cease operations on 31 July 2025.

Qantas cited increased operational costs and growing regional competition as reasons for the shutdown.