The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) would like to urge the Home Ministry, Human Resources Ministry, banks, security companies and trade unions representing workers in the banking industry to meet urgently in view of the recent incident which resulted in the death of Ambank officer Norazita Abu Talib.

The Malaysian government has ratified the ILO Convention 187  Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No.187) in 2012.The objective of this convention is to promote continuous improvement of occupational safety and health in consultation with the employers and workers representatives of a national policy, system and programme.

The unions have repeatedly urged employers to assure the safety of employees and customers. Do we need to demonstrate our concerns only after loss of lives? Why do Malaysian authorities need to be reminded that the security guard firm concerned also bears responsibility for the death of Norazita? Or is this a result of a systemic institutional failure?

The government authorities are prone to knee-jerk reactions where it concerns issues which afflict the mass population that generates media publicity.

The Human Resources Ministry should monitor and attend to the reports by the unions in respect to the security and safety of the workers. The ministry should also ensure that security companies do not exploit their workers who are employed as security guards, as we find some guards are working round-the-clock.

Banks should ensure that security companies pay their employees a living wage, as this will cater towards better conditions of work for all. There should be no reasons why banks cannot afford to pay security companies more and to ensure that the security companies in turn pay their workers decent wages.

The sudden revoking of the security company’s operating licence has caused great anxiety and grief to some banks and their employees. We have received many complaints from members of their safety since there are no security guards at the premises of the banks. This is ludicrous as the safety of bank workers and customers have been compromised.

We have advised our members from these banks to take the necessary precautions and have also written to the banks to give assurances that the banks will find suitable alternatives, which could include Rela, police or the voluntary police.

J SOLOMON is the general-secretary of the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE).