Approximately 30,000 unionised banking sector employees stand to benefit from a new collective agreement (CA) proposed by the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE).

The proposal, which the new NUBE leadership was quick to fast-track following the resolution of the four-year infighting, will see a number of upward strides pertaining to benefits.

The 72-page draft, which proposes a 30 percent increase in overall monetary benefits, was submitted to the Malayan Commercial Banks' Association (MCBA) yesterday.

Topping the list is a proposal to incorporate a five-day working week in line with the government's recent move and a policy, which NUBE fully supports.

No such policy had been introduced for the banking industry although the government had previously declared every first and third Saturday as a public holiday for both the government and banks.

In mid-June, the prime minister announced a five-day working week for the public sector which took effect July 1.

Health benefits

The draft CA also proposes improved maternity benefits which do not limit the number of deliveries and the maximum sum to be reimbursed.

At present, reimbursements for female employees are limited to two deliveries and for a maximum charge of RM500.

The proposal is for an unlimited number of deliveries and full reimbursement of delivery charges at any bank-appointed general hospital or private hospital.

Medical check-up for employees is another issue that has been raised for an upward revision.

Presently, banks provide for a full medical examination every three years at selected hospitals for employees upon attaining the age of 45.

NUBE has proposed for the age to be reduced to 30 in line with the government's policy on healthcare at a young age.

Another proposal is to increase the childcare subsidy from RM50 for children aged seven and below to RM100 for each child in that age bracket, a move to incorporate prevailing industry practice.

Following an announcement for a cost of living allowance for civil servants, NUBE has proposed the same for banking employees.

Another proposal is to convert the medical insurance coverage of spouse and children into a group family medical scheme where the maximum RM1,000 reimbursement per annum is used instead as the premium for additional coverage.

Reasonable demands

Contacted, NUBE general-secretary J Solomon said a counter-proposal is expected by the end of the month.

"Our demands are very reasonable as these are the basic needs which members have been deprived of for almost three years," he said.

"We hope the MCBA will take into account our proposal. I'm confident of wrapping this up quickly because we confined the draft to only monetary items as a matter of urgency."

He said this CA was three years overdue as it was supposed to have been effective since January 1, 2003, but had been shelved due to the leadership crisis which was resolved in early August by way of a court-ordered election.

"We are already working on a new CA that is expected to be concluded soon. We plan to submit that before the end of the year.

"That CA will touch on non-monetary issues in each article including employer-employee relations and such," he added.

Solomon also noted the proposed increase in the percentage of salary adjustment for non-clerical employees in the present draft CA.