What is an MSS?
A Mutual Separation Scheme, or MSS, is an agreement between employee and employer whereby the parties mutually agree to end the employment contract.
It is usually initiated by the employer, often to improve productivity by reducing the workforce due to economic or financial issues.
Apa itu MSS?
Skim Pemisahan Bersama, atau Mutual Separation Scheme (MSS), ialah perjanjian antara pekerja dan majikan di mana kedua-dua pihak bersetuju untuk menamatkan kontrak pekerjaan.
MSS biasanya dimulakan oleh majikan, selalunya untuk meningkatkan produktiviti dengan mengurangkan tenaga kerja atas sebab ekonomi atau kewangan.
The key word is “mutual”
This does not mean the employee is left hanging. “Mutual” means there will be a negotiation between employer and employee.
The employee can negotiate the compensation package, which could include termination benefits, salary and more. It depends on what was discussed during the negotiation.
Kata kuncinya: “bersama”
Ini tidak bermakna pekerja dibiarkan begitu sahaja. “Bersama” bermaksud ada rundingan antara majikan dan pekerja.
Pekerja boleh merundingkan pakej pampasan, yang boleh merangkumi faedah penamatan, gaji dan lain-lain. Ia bergantung pada apa yang dibincangkan semasa rundingan.
What the Court requires
In Murali Tharan Nair G Narayana Nair v. HLMG Management Co Sdn Bhd [2020] 2 LNS 0276, the Court set out the principles for an MSS:
(i) there must be a genuine consensus, or consensus ad idem (a meeting of the minds), between the parties when entering into the agreement; and
(ii) there must be no harassment, compulsion, undue advantage, oppression, unfair labour practice, misrepresentation, duress, coercion or any other vitiating factor in reaching it.
Apa yang Mahkamah tetapkan
Dalam kes Murali Tharan Nair G Narayana Nair v. HLMG Management Co Sdn Bhd [2020] 2 LNS 0276, Mahkamah menetapkan prinsip bagi MSS:
(i) mesti ada persetujuan yang tulen, atau consensus ad idem (pertemuan fikiran), antara pihak-pihak semasa memasuki perjanjian; dan
(ii) tiada gangguan, paksaan, kelebihan tidak wajar, penindasan, amalan perburuhan tidak adil, salah nyataan, desakan, ugutan atau apa-apa faktor lain yang mencacatkan proses mencapai perjanjian itu.
In plain terms
For an MSS to be considered mutually agreed:
1. There must be genuine consensus when entering the MSS.
2. There must be no harassment, duress or any form of coercion in the process.
Secara mudahnya
Untuk MSS dianggap dipersetujui bersama:
1. Mesti ada persetujuan yang tulen semasa memasuki MSS.
2. Tiada gangguan, desakan atau sebarang bentuk paksaan dalam prosesnya.
Where is the sweet spot?
The main objective of an MSS is to maintain a good relationship between employer and employee after the separation.
The company improves its productivity by reducing the workforce, and the employee is compensated with a fair severance package. At the end of the day, it's a win-win.
Di mana titik keseimbangannya?
Objektif utama MSS ialah mengekalkan hubungan baik antara majikan dan pekerja selepas pemisahan.
Syarikat dapat meningkatkan produktiviti dengan mengurangkan tenaga kerja, dan pekerja menerima pakej pampasan yang adil. Akhirnya, kedua-dua pihak menang.