Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn wants Bumiputra Commerce Bank (BCB) and the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) to resolve their differences amicably.

Contacted today, the minister said adopting a confrontational approach would only serve to worsen the situation.

He was responding to the Malaysian Trades Union Congress' (MTUC) - the umbrella body which incorporates NUBE - decision to close its fixed deposit accounts amounting to RM6.5million with BCB on Tuesday.

"NUBE needs the bank as much as the former needs its employees or customers, the bank must also respect its union members" he said.

"They should go back to the table and talk, confrontation is not the right way to solve problems," added the minister.

Fong also invited the concerned parties to approach him for assistance although peace talks moderated by ministry officials last year failed to end the feud.

"My door is always open. However, no one has approached me for help yet," he said.

NUBE has been rocked by a protracted leadership struggle between factions headed by Muhammad Fauzi Shamsuddin and Abdul Jalil Hamid respectively.

Both factions had since taken their case to court but their leadership claims were declared illegal.

The relationship between NUBE and BCB soured further when the latter suspended 15 union members, including the general secretary of one faction J Solomon recently.

Don't interfere

Meanwhile, MTUC which is the umbrella body to more than 200 unions, is urging its members to follow its example in order to teach banks a lesson to not interfere in union matters.

MTUC president Zainal Rampak said while other unions have expressed interest in withdrawing their money from BCB, they would have to follow procedures and wait for approval from the general council.

He added that the Congress has yet to decide which bank to transfer the money to. "We still need the general council to decide that. We need to follow proper procedures," he told malaysiakini.

Zainal also issued a stern warning to banks not to interfere in their employees union problems.

"Banks cannot take advantage of the situation and give flimsy excuses to sack or suspend their employees, who are union members," he said.

"Whichever faction it is, the banks should stay out of the problem," he added.

He said union members should not be dealt with disciplinary action for picketing as it is legal and provided for in the 1976 Industrial Relations Act.

Yesterday, Eon Bank Berhad sacked Muhammad Fauzi Shamsuddin, the president of one faction for being absent without leave.