Members of the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE), eager to end the prolonged internal crisis, are expected to appoint an interim election committee at a meeting to be coordinated by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).

The congress, with the endorsement of delegates at a special labour convention convened in Petaling Jaya today, agreed to assist the NUBE settle its ongoing bitter leadership crisis.

Its secretary-general G Rajasekaran said the idea for a special meeting went down well with NUBE members based on their responses so far.

"We sent out 5,000 notices to NUBE members in the Klang Valley. Over the last two days, we received more than 500 responses through fax or e-mail supporting the move," he told reporters after the half-day convention.

"The members themselves will nominate and appoint a caretaker committee to oversee and conduct the long overdue re-election."

Rajasekaran said the MTUC's role in setting up the caretaker re-election committee was to initiate and facilitate the meeting since the rift between the two factions was very deep.

One faction is led by Abdul Jalil Hamid, with J Solomon as his general secretary, while the rival group is headed by Mohammed Fauzi Shamsuddin.

Only practical way

A re-election was considered as the only practical way of determining a legitimate NUBE leadership late last year, but following a failure to obtain a consensus from both factions, the Human Resources Ministry just dropped it.

Today's convention, chaired by MTUC president Zainal Rampak, saw 10 main resolutions adopted by the 400 delegates from 230 affiliates. The resolution on the NUBE issue was also endorsed by the MTUC general council.

The convention was based on the huge on-stage banner that read 'Kaum pekerja sudah hilang keyakinan kepada Kementerian Sumber Manusia' (Workers have lost faith in the Human Resources Ministry).

In all, delegates unanimously adopted 16 resolutions that will be submitted to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Jan 19. Copies will be given to de facto law minister Dr Rais Yatim and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia on the same day.

Rajasekaran said the NUBE issue has been going on for two years, including a bitter court battle, but the government has miserably failed to end it.

"We will also distribute these resolutions to all union members, members of parliament and the public," he added.

The NUBE crisis is affecting collective agreement negotiations and preparations to offset the adverse effects of globalisation on the banking sector, especially with more and more banks opting for outsourcing and trimming its workforce.

Delegates moved for Abdullah to direct the ministry to expedite disputes arising from the non-recognition of trade unions and to explain the 11,000 cases of wrongful dismissal that are still pending to date.

They also wanted him to direct the ministry to comply with the Industrial Relations Act 1967 instead of condoning acts of union-busting through inaction or evasion of the issue, including denying workers the right to join trade unions.

Support for foreign workers

One of the delegates said the workforce has lost confidence in Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn and the ministry as a whole, which is why they were seeking the prime minister's intervention to resolve several outstanding issues.

"The prevailing laws do not support the labour movement's struggle to uphold workers' rights. Many employers have denied us this right by using the ministry's name."

The delegates were also miffed with the government's continuous import of foreign workers at the expense of locals.

As example, a representative from Goodyear said the company took in 100 foreign workers although 50 local job applications were received within three weeks.

"None of the 50 were hired. In fact, the government has been signing agreements for the import of more foreign workers when our own people are denied job opportunities."

The delegates wanted Abdullah to direct the ministry to review the Employment Act to ensure that adequate protection and maximum safety is accorded to citizens and to prevent an abuse of the system.

They also wanted the prime minister to agree in writing that the maximum RM30,000 death and incapacitation benefits will be reinstated. The change of policy which reduced the amount to a meagre RM1,000 took effect between May 8 and July 1, 2001.

The delegates also moved to challenge the recent controversial appointment of the Industrial Court chairperson so as to avoid any delays due to legal obstacles.