KUALA LUMPUR: The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) today called on banks to provide interest-free housing loans to their clerical and non-clerical staff.

It also wants the banks to provide full loans for houses costing between RM300,000 and RM500,000, as well as absorb the legal and other fees.

NUBE general secretary J. Solomon said banks should do this as part of their corporate social responsibility exercises.

He said the union had officially communicated this request to the Association of Banks in Malaysia through the Malayan Commercial Banks’ Association two weeks ago.

Solomon hoped the banks would give due consideration to the request as it would assist their employees in owning their own houses.

He pointed out that with the escalating cost of houses, particularly in the urban and semi-urban areas, it was impossible for these category of workers to own houses without such subsidised loans.

“It’s only right that banks do their bit to help these group of employees, especially in such economically challenging times.” – BERNAMA