Govt can't decide on reinstating sacked bank officials as cases pending: Finance minister
The cases cited by the finance minister relate to officials of Shariah-based banks who were dismissed after 5 August 2024.
The government cannot take a specific decision on reinstating dismissed bank officials as the matter is currently under judicial consideration, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said today (21 April).
"Writ petitions and cases numbered 13047/2025, 13974/2025 and 14023/2025 filed by the dismissed bank officials are pending before the High Court and labour courts which currently at the hearing stage," he said while responding to a starred question from Chattogram-16 lawmaker Md Zahirul Islam during the question-answer session in parliament.
The cases cited by the finance minister relate to officials of Shariah-based banks who were dismissed after 5 August 2024.
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The directives issued by the High Court in connection with the petitions have already been complied with by Bangladesh Bank. However, as the matter remains sub judice, there is no scope for the government to take a definitive decision at this stage.
Earlier, on 19 April, several hundred laid-off officials from five banks previously under the control of S Alam Group staged a sit-in in front of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited in Motijheel's Dilkusha area, demanding reinstatement of their jobs.
The protesters also called for restoring ownership of the bank to its previous owner, S Alam, and dissolving the current board, alongside other demands including clearing outstanding dues and ensuring job security for employees.
Fund access for sick depositors under review
The government is considering allowing withdrawals for depositors suffering from critical illnesses from the five merged banks, the finance minister said.
Responding to a question from Bagerhat-4 MP Md Abdul Alim, Khosru said that under the Bank Resolution Scheme 2025, formulated under the Bank Resolution Ordinance 2025, each individual depositor is currently being paid up to Tk200,000 as protected deposits.
He said the remaining funds will be disbursed in phases as per the scheme.
In addition, funds are already being released on a case-by-case basis for patients undergoing kidney dialysis and cancer treatment.
The government is also considering extending this facility to other serious medical conditions, including brain tumours and heart and lung surgeries, he added.
The government has merged five weak Shariah-based banks to form a consolidated Islamic bank in a bid to stabilise the country's financial sector.
The banks include EXIM Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank and Global Islami Bank.
