EXCLUSIVE: Over 1,700 JAL Workers Apply for Early Retirement

Tokyo, April 16 (Jiji Press)--More-than-expected workers at a core unit of Japan Airlines applied for early retirement the unit sought as part of the parent's group restructuring, Jiji Press has learned.

The number of Japan Airlines International Co. workers who made the
applications by the deadline, which had passed, exceeded the planned 1,700,
informed sources said. JAL is planning to eliminate 2,700 group jobs.
JAL, which will implement bold cost-cutting steps for a swift
business turnaround, is expected to accept all the early retirements, the
sources said. The airline filed for bankruptcy protection under the
Corporate Rehabilitation Law in January.
In early March, JAL started receiving applications for an early
retirement program that pays higher-than-normal severance allowances.
The program, which does not cover pilots, drew interest from many
workers aged near 60, the compulsory retirement age, according to the
sources.
On Thursday, JAL stopped receiving applications for leaving the
company's pension program from former employees who opposed a cut in pension
payments. At the departure, they can receive lump-sum benefits at levels
before reduction.