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In a move that
reminds us of how a neighbouring country use defamation suits to shut up
political dissent, Stanchart has on 7 September 2006 instructed a prominent law
firm in Kuching to demand that Andrew Lo (In his personal capacity) withdraw
statements he was alleged to have made during the picketing on 4/9/06
The Bank claims
that these statements;
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Stanchart is
a liar,
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Stanchart
simply demotes staff
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Stanchart do
not want to pay $20,000 which belongs to staff. Hence no ethics
are untrue and
constitute grave slander. The Bank demanded, amongst others, that Andrew Lo,
within 48 hours:
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Write a
letter containing a suitable withdrawal and apology in terms to be approved
by the bank.
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Compensate
the Bank for the damage to its reputation.
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Legal cost.
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An immediate
proposal by Andrew Lo to pay the bank an amount of money as damages.
Of course Andrew
Lo and SBEU will never bow to such dictatorial demands and will defend our right
to stand up for our members. We have univocally rejected the demands of the
bank.
SBEU WILL vigorously defend any proceedings the Bank chooses to take.
Mr. Andrew Lo,
in his capacity as General Secretary of SBEU stand by what he said during the
picketing on 4th September 2006 which was lawfully carried out under
Section 40 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967.
SBEU stand by
these statements in their full context, which in our view constitute:
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A fair
comment and justification in the description of the facts and issues in
contemplation or in furtherance of the trade dispute;
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A fair and
accurate comment on the actions, steps, conduct and decisions of the Bank’s
officials; in particular those concerned with human resources, as perceived
by SBEU and/or its members.
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The bank's
actions are a blatant attempt to exert pressure upon Andrew Lo in the execution
of his duties as the General Secretary of SBEU. It is an attempt to stifle
the legitimate rights of a SBEU as trade union to freely express its opinions
and views and to protect and safeguard the interests of its members.
“I am prepared
to face what ever suit the bank dares to throw at me. I will rather go to jail
then sacrifice the rights of SBEU members”
Andrew Lo
SCB HAS DESTROYED
THE VERY FABRIC OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
SBEU being a
professional organisation respect the right of any Bank or employer to make a
stand on any issues that are in dispute with us.
It is fundamental
principle that whatever these disputes are, it must be recognised that officials
of both the Union and the Bank are entrusted to do a job and to represent and
defend their respective organisation as best as they can.
To attack
officials in their personal capacity is beyond any moral and ethical standards
of a democratic country and the oldest bank in the Country.
It appears to us
that SCB is behaving worst than a dictatorship and would not tolerate opposing
opinions. Unfortunately it is not the first time that the bank exhibited such
conduct. Members would recall that the Bank issued show cause letter to an
employee in Sibu for highlighting security deficiencies in Sibu Branch.
The bank had also
threatened the 2nd employee from taking up the case of the
STLA- subject matter of the current dispute.
ALL SBEU MEMBERS MUST STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS WITHOUT FEAR OR
FAVOUR
We must NEVER kowtow to any threats by any Mat Sallehs or any of
their stooges.
Otherwise it will be the end of SBEU
There will be no more protection against exploitation!
There will be no more protection against bullying by big
employers! |
