GEORGE TOWN: Two weeks after the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) picketed in Johor Baru, some 350 of them staged a similar protest against HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd over alleged discrimination and unresolved grievances outside the Lebuh Downing branch today.
The group, which included NUBE members from Peninsular Malaysia and HSBC employees, also carried placards, demanding their rights which had allegedly been violated, be addressed immediately.
They also chanted and sang throughout the hour-long lunchtime protest, witnessed by scores of passers-by.
NUBE deputy president Abdul Jamil Jalaludeen said among the violations included outsourcing jobs to third parties, forcing workers to take VSS (voluntary separation scheme) during the Covid-19 pandemic and not providing basic work necessities.
Abdul Jamil, who is also NUBE northern region president, said other grievances included intentionally avoiding and delaying resolution of workers' complaints.
He also singled out the Penang government for supporting HSBC to exploit Malaysian workers.
"These are only some of the violation of human rights. It will be an extremely long list if we list them one by one.
"This has been going on for four years with no solution at sight. Do you think we enjoy taking to the streets to voice our grievances? We are left with no choice.
"If the grievances and violations are not addressed promptly, then we are forced to continue taking to the streets," he said when met during the protest this morning.
Abdul Jamil also accused the management of HSBC as being very arrogant and had no respect for the country's labour laws.
Abdul Jamil said he had even sought help with the Human Resources Ministry and met personally with former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin but to no avail.
"To this day, the issues still persist.
"What is the government doing about this? We are talking about Malaysian lives at stake here.
"We will continue to rally and stand in solidarity against those who have been discriminated," he added.