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22 May 2002 - HLB PROTEST
PRESS STATEMENT
22 MAY 2002
HONG LEONG BANK CLOSING EX WAH TAT BANK BRANCHES IN SARAWAK
SBEU TO LAUNCH FULL SCALE ACTION INCLUDING STRIKE
1. With effect from Thursday 23 May 2002, all SBEU members in all Banks Finance Companies will "SBEU SAYS NO TO HONG LEONG BANK" badges
2. Despite our appeals and representations, HLB continue to exhibit arrogance and continues to discriminate Sarawakian employees especially ex Wah Tat Bank employees and went ahead to close two of ex-Wah Tat Branches in Lawas and Kapit and use the license to open new branches in West Malaysia.
3. SBEU understand that as a result of the mergers of Banks, there is a need to rationalize Branches of the merged entity in towns where there is a duplication of branches/close proximity of branches. We have given our cooperation and support to those banks (including HLB) that rationalized these types of branches.
4. However, we would like to point out that in the case of Kapit and Lawas, it is not about rationalization of branches because there is only one HLB branch in each town. The two branches are ex Wah Tat Bank branches, which has served a particular need of these small and remote towns. Customers of these towns now have less choice for their banking needs. In Lawas, the only Bank left is Maybank.
5. As we have highlighted to Bank Negara such moves by Banks will eventually deprive the rural community excess to Banking, which is an essential service. This will drive the population in the small towns of Sarawak to seek credit from loan sharks and illegal money lenders.
6. HLB then proceed to transfer affected employees to other towns and refuse to negotiate with us a reasonable transfer package. This is not consistent with SCBA's stand during the last Collective Agreement negotiations that transfer allowances be negotiated separately with individual member banks of SCBA.
7. Unlike foreign Banks, HLB also refused to consider other options for the affected staff . As a result some staff are forced to resign from the Bank because a transfer will cause undue hardship, as all the staff are female, married with children. All have houses in Kapit that are still under mortgage. Without a reasonable transfer package, it is just not financially viable for the staff to be transferred.
8. Despite SBEU's appeal to put the transfer on hold, HLB bank proceed to transfer a female staff who is married with three school going children from Kapit to Mukah giving only 4 days notice. There is no way the husband can find employment in Mukah which is a small coastal town. It is also extremely difficult for her children to find suitable schools in Mukah to continue with their education.
9. In Sibu, it has also seconded ex Wah Tat Bank employees who are covered by the SCBA/SBEU to a subsidiary that is not covered, denying them benefits of the CA.
10. Recently, despite the efforts of the Director General of Industrial Relations, SCBA and SBEU's goodwill to resolve the above dispute over the dismissal of Josephine Banun, HLB arrogantly refused to reconsider the dismissal of Josephine Banun (an employee from the ex-Wah Tat Bank).
11. Under the above circumstances we have no choice but to take whatever action available to us against the clear and willful victimization of Sarawakians, especially ex Wah Tat Bank employees by the Bank. These actions may spill to over other member-banks of SCBA, as all SBEU members are totally against unacceptable attitude and discriminatory actions of the HLB.
12. Members are also to prepare for picketing against all banks (where SBEU have an existing dispute over the Collective Agreement.) We may also review our understanding with SCBA on the 3rd Saturday off. We are actively considering withdrawing all forms of cooperation from all Banks and Finance Companies.
13. SBEU will also organise protest actions against Bank Negara for approving the closure of Bank Branches.
14. SBEU will hold a General Meeting for all members in Kuching on Friday, 24 May 2002, to get a mandate to initiate strike action against the Bank.( MBKS Auditorium, Kuching- 6 to 7 PM)
ANDREW LO KIAN NYAN
GENERAL SECRETARY