In a statement, NUBE general secretary J Solomon said it is disheartening to see GLC banks out of sync with government objectives.

“The lack of alignment becomes evident when GLCs operate contrary to government directives,” he said.

Solomon said the refusal by these banks to provide a month’s base salary in festival aid to workers from the B40 and M40 groups starkly illustrates this defiance.

“The banks’ arbitrary decision is in breach of an existing agreement with NUBE, established last year, which is aimed at supporting employees during major religious festivals like Hari Raya Puasa, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and Christmas.

“The agreement stipulates a minimum of one month’s salary as festival aid, with the option for banks to offer more if they choose,” he said.

Solomon said the refusal of festival aid, particularly with the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities, places undue financial strain on employees who anticipated the support as per the agreement made last year.

“This decision, primarily made by representatives from GLCs, reflects a grave injustice against all B40 and M40 bank workers, and is indicative of corrupt practices that entrench lower and middle-income groups in financial hardship,” he said.

Solomon gave the example of banks in Indonesia that helped their workers last year by giving them two months’ salary as financial aid for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

He said the Indonesian government had also made it mandatory for the private sector there to pay their staff at least a month’s wages for Aidilfitri.