The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) campaign for a 90-day paid maternity leave saw its first major success, with HSBC Bank Malaysia accepting the proposal.

NUBE secretary-general J Solomon hailed the achievement a "milestone" after signing an agreement with HSBC Bank Malaysia today. The bank was represented by its deputy chief executive officer, Jon Addis.

He told Bernama that the campaign on March 8 hoped to collect a million signatures by National Day.

j solomon nube sec gen 290806 calm It had, so far, garnered over 500,000 signatures, including that of the prime minister’s wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Solomon ( left ) said the longer maternity break would create a conducive environment for working mothers.

Addis said that previously, the bank had provided a 60-day paid maternity leave, adding that the additional 30 days would allow the mothers more time to care for and bond with their new-born.

Solomon hoped that more employers, not just those in the banking sector but others as well, would emulate this example.

NUBE represents 30,000 bank workers in the country.

- Bernama