THE National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) has lodged a second police report against Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong for alleged abuse of power.
NUBE secretary-general J. Solomon accused Sim of abusing his power by referring the dispute between union and the Malayan Commercial Banks' Association (MCBA) to the Industrial Court although the latter was aware that the dispute was still under conciliation with the Director-General of Industrial Relations (DGIR).
"Nube branches nationwide have lodged a second police report today against the minister for abusing his powers again," said Solomon.
"This time by referring the dispute between NUBE and the Malayan Commercial Banks' Association (MCBA) to the Industrial Court.
"Nube attended two conciliation meetings at the Industrial Relations Department on March 21, 2024 and March 27, 2024. At the March 27, 2024 meeting chaired by the DGIR, NUBE was informed that this matter would be continued with a subsequent meeting as there was still space for discussions in reaching a settlement," he added.
On April 18, NUBE lodged its first report against the minister for meeting MCBA without the union's knowledge to discuss the Festival Aid 2024 payment which was not in favour of bank workers.
Solomon added that on the same day when the first report was lodged, NUBE received an email from the Industrial Court, stating that the dispute is now referred to the Industrial Court.
"NUBE was shocked, as on March 27, 2024, the union was informed by the DGIR that there was still space for discussion to settle the dispute. The DGIR knew MCBA had not exhausted its internal remedies with NUBE.
"A dispute is only referred to the Industrial Court if the conciliation has reached a 'deadlock' between the parties. In such a case, the DGIR's office would inform the parties that the matter would be referred to the Industrial Court. However, the DGIR would not do so if the internal remedies were not exhausted," Solomon said.
Solomon said NUBE was not informed by the DGIR's office that the matter was referred to the Industrial Court.
He said NUBE was only made aware that the dispute was referred to the Industrial Court when it received an email from the Industrial Court on April 18.
"NUBE only received a copy of the said letter by registered post on April 24, 2024, which is unusual as usually all correspondences are by email," he said.
"What was more shocking was the timing. The dispute was referred to the Industrial Court the same day NUBE lodged a report against the minister for abuse of power. There are too many coincidences in this matter," he said.
Solomon said Sim had abused his power by acting contrary to provisions under the Industrial Relations Act 1967, adding it was an offence under Section 166 of the Penal Code.
He urged the police to investigate as the actions by Sim had resulted in about 15,000 NUBE members in the B40 and M40 categories and the Union, suffering unnecessary losses. - The Vibes, April 26, 2024.
