CERTAIN banks are spreading fear among non-executive employees of job cuts as the financial sector increasingly digitises its operations, the National Union of Banking Employees (Nube) said.

“We urge these banks to stop spreading such fears and instead emulate other banks who have provided the necessary upskilling to bank employees to ensure they remain relevant to the needs of the banking sector,” Nube general secretary J. Solomon said in a statement issued at the union’s delegates conference today. 

While Nube does not oppose digitalisation, he said bank workers should be given the necessary training and upskilling. 

He also expressed unhappiness that Bank Negara Malaysia had failed to attend the union’s conference despite an invitation, where it would have had the chance to address union members on their fears about digitalisation.

“BNM have all the experts in digital banking and are in the best position to speak directly to our members and address their fears. Yet they always give excuses not to turn up.”

Solomon said not all banks are threatening employees with job cuts as there are those who looked after workers’ interests.

He called for a better balance between profits and workers’ welfare as preparation for digitalisation.

“Banks should not use digitalisation merely to maximise profits and downplay the workforce which enabled them to earn huge profits over the years.”

Nube members were mostly in the B40 and M40 groups, he said, adding that the union will help these workers with industrial action if need be. – August 21, 2020.