Kuala Lampur, July 13 -- The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) has called for Bank Muamalat and Alliance Bank to be penalised by banking regulators following the Federal Court's ruling that the two banks were guilty of union-busting tactics.

NUBE general-secretary J. Solomon said in a press statement that the right to association is a fundamental right which employers are under a duty to respect, promote, protect and facilitate the "effective exercise" of the right.

"Any attempt to dilute the strength of trade unions by disguised promotions threatens the workers' right to be part of organisations established to organise and further their interests through collective bargaining.

"The two banks in question here should also be calle...