Govt can’t decide on reinstating sacked bank officials as cases pending: Finance minister

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.

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.