Don’t spread fears over automation, union tells banks

NUBE says some banks are suggesting that clerical staff will be replaced by automation.

PORT DICKSON: The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) today urged banks not to spread fear among non-executive employees that their roles will be made redundant by digitalisation in the sector.

J Solomon, general secretary of NUBE, said at a delegates conference today that “several banks have been telling our members that their jobs will be abolished and they risk losing their jobs when their work is automated or digitalised”.

For example, he said, some banks were suggesting that there would be no need for clerical staff once several aspects of their jobs are replaced by automation.

Adding that NUBE’s research had refuted these suggestions, he said these banks should stop spreading such fears and instead emulate others which have provided employees with the necessary upskilling to ensure that they remain relevant.

He also said that union members do not oppose digitalisation but want to be given the necessary training and upskilling.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) was singled out for what NUBE called a continued refusal of its requests to explain the public policies in place to protect their members.

“By refusing to address the concerns of our members, BNM may be directly encouraging banks to sideline the welfare of workers in their pursuit of digitalisation,” Solomon said.

He added that NUBE would be forced to take industrial action if banks continued to disregard the livelihood of workers, especially NUBE’s B40 and M40 members.

He attributed these problems to the failure of the government as a whole, and asked that Putrajaya listen to their concerns and prioritise the needs of the people over power struggles.

“We have seen now and also during the reign of past governments that the leaders do not seem to understand what we are going through,” Solomon said.

“We need our voices to be heard by the government and Parliament or we are doomed.” - FMT