Royal Jordanian and the General Union for Air Transport signed on January 29 a collective agreement giving RJ staff the choice to obtain a voluntary release from the job between the period Feb. 1 and March 31, 2018 subject to the airline’s approval.

RJ President/CEO Stefan Pichler and the head of the General Union for Air Transport and Tourism Yousef Qannab signed the agreement.

As per the agreement, employees have the option to submit a request to be released from service, and, subject to Royal Jordanian’s approval, the employees are given a half-month salary for each year of service.

Stefan Pichler said this agreement comes in line with the turnaround plan RJ is currently implementing to achieve sustainable profitability and one of the main pillars of the plan requires that RJ reduces the manpower.

Pichler underlined RJ's and the union's keenness to ensure the sustainable profitability of the national carrier and its role in serving Jordan, and achieving the airline’s strategic goals.

Yousef Qannab stressed the keenness of the union to protect all employees’ rights, by ensuring that they receive compensation that supports them and their families after the end of their service.

Qannab also expressed the Union’s appreciation for the great effort employees in all departments have exerted to provide the best service to travelers, and for their hard work and professionalism, which helped enhance the role the national carrier plays in serving Jordan strategically, economically and socially.