Sarawak Commercial Banks’ Association (SCBA) successfully concluded the 13th Collective Agreement with Sarawak Bank Employees’ Union (SBEU) on 28.2.2013. The official signing ceremony was held at Pullman Hotel, Kuching Sarawak on 22 March 2013.
The new Collective Agreement will cover the period from 1.1.2012 to 31.12.2014.
Close to 2,000 employees in the clerical and non-clerical grades who are employed in 13 member banks of SCBA in Sarawak would benefit from this Collective Agreement with a salary adjustment of 10% . In addition, for agreeing to enlarge their job scope, the non-clerical employees would enjoy a further salary adjustment of 3%, whereas the clerical employees will be paid an ex-gratia equivalent to 2% x 12 based on their December salary for 3 years, for period 2012 to 2014. SCBA has also agreed to grant one annual increment for employees who have reached their maximum pay range. Taken together, certain employees may enjoy close to 17% adjustment to their annual basic pay, not to mention the revision in Sarawak Allowance which would take retrospective effect from 1.1.2012.
Rates for other monetary benefits and allowances were also similarly reviewed and where appropriate, adjusted in line with the above increase.
SCBA also agreed to extend the retirement age of employees from 55 years to 60 years, subject to specified medical conditions.
At the signing ceremony, Encik Mohd Daud Abdul Hamid, President, SCBA and Encik Mohammad Azman Bin Abdul Hamid, Secretary, SCBA represented the Association. Puan Hadiah Leen, President, SBEU and Mr. Law Kiat Min, General Secretary, SBEU signed on behalf of the Union. Puan Nora Manaf, President, Malayan Commercial Banks’ Association and Encik August Buma, Director of Labor, Sarawak witnessed the signing ceremony. In their respective speech, all commended the negotiating teams for their professional conduct and their ability to come the Collective Agreement amicably. Special mention was made to acknowledge the progressive stand taken by the Union in promoting and accepting value-add changes which would mutually benefit both the banks and the employees.
Among the Guests-of-Honor who attend this auspicious occasion were Puan Jamilah Putit, Director, Trade Union Department, Sarawak, Heads of HR, namely Puan Nor Rozita Nordin of Affin Bank, Puan Hamidah Naziadin of CIMB, Mr. Vincent C J Ho of HSBC Bank, Ms. Marlene Goh of Public Bank, Heads of IR of member banks, EXCO members of SCBA and SBEU and a great number of Inter-Relations Committee members from various banks and media personnel.