Sacked staff of six Islamic banks rally in Motijheel, demand reinstatement

Several thousand former employees dismissed from six Islamic banks gathered in Motijheel today, demanding reinstatement and the dissolution of the current boards of directors.

The protesters assembled in front of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC in the morning, carrying banners and festoons referring to employees terminated from First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank and Social Islami Bank.

Most of the dismissed employees are reportedly from Patiya in Chattogram. They were alleged to have been recruited when the banks were under the control of the controversial business house S Alam Group.

Allegations later emerged that many recruitments were made without public job advertisements, competitive examinations or proper verification of academic credentials.

Following the political changeover in August 2024, the employees lost their jobs after authorities detected irregularities in recruitment.

Since the morning, demonstrators have been using handheld microphones to press their demands.

Officials of the banks said the dismissals were carried out in line with Bangladesh Bank advice regarding verification of employees’ academic credentials, followed by assessment tests. 

Only those who failed to participate in the evaluation or were found to have submitted forged documents were dismissed, leaving little scope for reinstatement.