Guys, I can confirm the offending ad was printed on the 24th March in a local english daily.
I must state that it's causing a lot of stir here among the local fraternity, but let me just quote the juicy bits from the ad :
"DIRECT ENTRY F/O FREIGHTER FLEET BASED IN KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA
Successful applicants will initially be based in KUL to operate CX freighter 744 & will receive on year one RM163,848.00 salary per annum.Includes concessionary travel & medical benefits.RIGHT OF ABODE, IMMIGRATION & TAX AFFAIRS ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OFFICER.
Future oppurtunities will exist for successful candidates after 3 years in KUL to upgrade to pax fleet based in HKG & receive a full expat pax fleet F/O package (year 4 F/O eff. 01/07/01 810,780.00 per annum).
All F/O applicants must meet the following requirements:
1)ICAO ATPL
2)A min time of 1000 hours in ONE of the following categories:
a)Airline Jet Transport
b)Command Turbo Prop (MAUW more than 20,000 kgs)
c)Command Corporate Jet
d)High Performance Military Jet
e)Military Flying Instructor (fixed wing)
Unquote.
While not adding salt to our brethren's wound in HKG, I have to say that the renumeration offered is nearly on par (minus a few thousand ringgits & the perks) with MAS starting widebody commander.This is very enticing for the junior F/O's & F50 commanders in MAS as they are quite down the seniority file.Not to mention the ex Air Force, G/A guys plus the local airlines (Pelangi, Air Asia & Berjaya).
Couldn't imagine CX taking non locals as the current labour law prevents them from taking expats if the position could be filled by qualified locals.The mandatory Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is very generous too with a min of nearly 22% goes to the fund & the employee only forks out 9% to 12% of their basic pay towards EPF.Tax here is 29% max (which btw is the rate paid if your annual income exceeds RM100,000.00).
Again would appreciate some feedbacks for us.It's nice to know what we're actually worth in the open market.Hmmmmm, I wonder if MAS will now pay more to keep us in?
Safe Flying All,
PILOST