“The system is so weak when it comes to this sort of issue. When employers don’t pay wages, they escape unpunished,” the union said in a statement today.

“The Labour Act clearly states that any employer who fails to pay wages to any of his employees as provided under Section 60D is committing an offence.

“The authorities should have acted by now on behalf of the workers and not expect the workers to do the running around.”

Nufam said the director-general of labour has the power to prosecute the airline’s directors, adding that the ministry and labour department are obliged to act, because the workers lack the resources to do so themselves.

It also said it had raised concerns brought by the airline staff, through memorandums and letters, but no action has been taken.

On Friday, New Straits Times reported that more than 1,000 MYAirline employees were still uncertain about the company’s next steps following its six-month suspension.

The airline reportedly owes about RM14 million in overdue salaries and RM9 million in EPF contributions from October last year to April this year.

MYAirline, which abruptly suspended operations on Oct 12 last year, cited “severe financial challenges” for its grounding, just 11 months after taking off on its maiden flight.

In January Bernama, quoting sources, reported that the airline had secured and signed a sale and purchase agreement with an investor from the Middle East in late December last year.

However, transport minister Loke Siew Fook announced a month later that the prospective investor had pulled out of the deal.

In March, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress urged MYAirline to prioritise the payment of salary arrears rather than wait for new investors.