About 22,000 bank employees will hold a nationwide picket on Nov 21 to protest against the withdrawal of subscriptions deduction facility, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) executive committee announced Friday.

MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran said the move was "a conspiracy between the Malaysian Commercial Banks Association (MCBA) and banks to destroy the NUBE (National Union of Bank Employees)".

"The concerted move several months before the impending negotiations with the NUBE on new terms and conditions is well-planned to deny 22,000 bank employees any wage increase," he said in a statement.

"The MTUC is determined to ensure that such dirty tactics do not pollute the entire industrial relations system and create widespread industrial unrest."

The picket will be preceded by a series of activities highlighting "unhealthy tactics" employed by the country's major banks.

In an immediate response, all MTUC affiliates will request the chief executive officers of all banks in Malaysia to restore the union subscriptions deduction facility.

The affiliates of the NUBE and the MTUC will also distribute 10,000 pamphlets to the banks' customers to expose the union-busting tactics, and target the nine banks under the MCBA for criticism.

Raw deal

In another deliberation, the executive committee wants the government to intervene and stop the anti-union activities by a main board-listed textile manufacturer in Johor.

Responding to Johor Textile Workers Union's report on such activities, Rajasekaran said Ramatex Textiles Industrial Sdn Bhd had refused to recognise the union in defiance of a directive from Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn.

"As a result, the dispute has remained unresolved for more than two years."

"Since the workers joined the union in March 2000, the company has suspended 120 employees and dismissed another 30."

Last week, Rajasekaran said Ramatex Textiles had unilaterally announced a new contract for all union members, which effectively removed long-established terms and conditions.

He said the workers were offered a raw deal under the revised contract which converted workers on monthly wages to hourly-rate calculations.

"All of them are compelled to work 12 hours daily and wages would now be paid on a weekly basis. Transport facility have also been curtailed, and this has caused serious inconveniences."

Flouting the law

He said such terms and conditions under the revised contract of Ramatex Textiles, "owned by prominent Malaysians", clearly contravene the Industrial Relations Act 1967.

"The union's report to the state industrial relations department has not helped to stop the company's activities."

The Johor-based company is a subsidiary of Ramatex Berhad which is listed on the main board of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange and is the country's largest integrated textile and garment manufacturer, specifically producing yarn and garments.

In 2001, Ramatex Berhad posted a consolidated after-tax profit of RM73.2 million and a consolidated revenue of more than RM700 million.

The Johor subsidiary is currently on a recruitment drive for more than 400 vacancies, mostly for machine and sewing operators.

Rajasekaran said Ramatex Textiles' 500 foreign workers who make up 40 percent of the total workforce have been picketing since Nov 31.

"The company has announced plans to bring in another 500 foreign workers, but we don't understand why the authorities are issuing work permits indiscriminately."

He also said that the MTUC will submit a memorandum to Fong on the matter soon.

Neither the Human Resources Ministry nor the Industrial Relations Department in Putrajaya could be reached for comment today.