Maybank dispute: NUBE to complain to Suhakam, IGP

Solomon speaking to reporters about the Maybank dispute on September 30, 2011. On the left is the MTUCs Khalid Atan. Picture by Melissa Chi

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) today alleged the police had infringed on the human rights of its union members and interfered in its activities relating to its dispute with Maybank.

NUBE general-secretary J. Solomon said the union will next week send a memorandum to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) as well as the Inspector-General of Police, listing the incidents of police interference in the unions dispute with the countrys biggest lender.

The NUBE, which represents some 5,000 Maybank employees, has been locked in a dispute with the bank since June 2009 over bonus claims and the legality of an in-house union for non-executive personnel.

The union is seeking 80 months pay for its members which, it said, is the same received by the banks management over the last 10 years.

Two weeks ago, about 50 of its members picketed outside the Maybank headquarters here during a visit by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Yesterday, the police stopped about 70 union members from picketing at the banks Mont Kiara branch, threatening arrests if they continued, citing the need for a permit, despite provisions in the Trade Union Act which give workers the right to picket.

If this is allowed to continue then the public has to decide together with the workers and the trade union whether Malaysia is moving to a police state because the police have violated international conventions by interfering in the administration and functions of trade union activities, said Solomon.

He also said Maybank was suing the union and its officers for defamation for exposing the wrongdoings of the bank.