SINGAPORE — The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said it is "dismayed" at Yahoo and Ninja Van for retrenching employees just before Labour Day, an occasion to celebrate the contributions of workers.

"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 (April 30).

Logistics provider Ninja Van told CNA on Tuesday that it has laid off about 10 per cent of the region’s tech team following a recent cost evaluation.

It did not reveal the number of workers affected in Singapore and the region.

As part of the severance package, affected workers are given one month of severance pay per full year of employment, a Ninja Van spokesperson told CNA. Job placement support will also be provided.

A day earlier, it was reported that Yahoo had laid off its editorial and social media teams in Singapore, with 17 employees set to leave the digital news platform after May 7.

According to online business publication The Edge Singapore, affected staff will receive slightly more than two weeks’ pay per year of service.

Affected workers were reportedly told that Yahoo is changing its editorial strategy and will no longer create original content from Singapore. 

Both Ninja Van and Yahoo are not unionised.

NTUC said its affiliated unions — the Creative Media and Publishing Union (CMPU) and the Supply Chain Employees’ Union Singapore (SCEU) — will reach out to 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.

It also urged companies to observe the guiding principles outlined in NTUC’s Fair Retrenchment Framework, which are to protect the Singaporean core of the workforce, to preserve jobs and provide job support.

Affected Yahoo workers may contact CMPU for assistance, while retrenched workers at Ninja Van can approach SCEU, NTUC added. CNA