'How oppressive must you be to sack so many people?' PM questions mass layoffs at Islami Bank

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has criticised the dismissal of around 10,000 employees from Islami Bank, questioning how "oppressive" those responsible must be to sack so many people.

He described the mass layoffs as an act of "oppression" and said, "They are not only secretive and treacherous, they are also extremely oppressive."

Tarique made the remarks as the chief guest at an organisational meeting of BNP's Chattogram city, north and south district units at the auditorium of Radisson Blu Bay View in Chattogram city yesterday (9 August).

Referring to changes at Islami Bank, he said, "Nearly 10,000 people were thrown out. Just look at how oppressive they are. If they were not oppressive, would they have dismissed so many innocent people?" 

"Let's say they were not from your party. But how justified is it to make non-partisan and innocent employees lose their jobs simply for that reason?" the PM asked.

He noted that many of those dismissed were women, some of whom have young children, and said the impact of their job losses on their families should also be considered.

Following the political changeover on 5 August 2024, around 10,000 officials and employees were dismissed from several Islamic banks during the tenure of the interim government.

Those affected included employees of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank and Social Islami Bank.

The dismissed bankers have been staging demonstrations in Dhaka and Chattogram for reinstatement for a prolonged period.

On 30 July, dismissed employees of Islami Bank Bangladesh held a press conference at Chattogram Press Club and placed three demands: reinstatement to their previous positions, payment of outstanding salaries, bonuses and other lawful dues, and an end to political or group-based misinformation against them.

They alleged that they had been dismissed without prior notice or an opportunity to defend themselves despite having been recruited through regular procedures. They warned of continuing peaceful protests if their demands were not met.

The dismissed employees said they held programmes in different areas yesterday, dividing themselves into three groups to bring their grievances to the prime minister's attention. One group stayed in Banshkhali while another was in Hathazari.

In Banshkhali, they said, they conveyed the issue of the dismissed Islami Bank employees to the prime minister through local representatives, stressing the financial hardship and difficult living conditions faced by affected families.

The protesters said many families had become destitute after the job losses. They said the prime minister listened to their concerns and assured them that he would look into the matter.

They also said they spoke to the prime minister in Hathazari, where they were similarly assured that steps for the dismissed employees would be considered.

Islami Bank employee Iskandar Sujon told The Business Standard, "We went to the prime minister yesterday after dividing ourselves into three groups. One team worked in Banshkhali and another in Hathazari. Later, around 2,000-2,500 boys and girls from all levels gathered in front of the Radisson Hotel."