Proposal to reinstate jobs of 47 bankers yet to be implemented

The High Court order to reinstate the jobs of 47 bankers, who were dismissed from service during the Covid-19 pandemic period violating the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, hasn yet been implemented by the banks concerned. The victim bankers demanded immediate steps to the reinstate them in their jobs to alleviate their sufferings as soon as possible.

When contacted, Bangladesh Bank Spokesperson Mezbaul Haque, also Executive Director of the central bank, told the Daily Observer that the central bank had asked the bankers who have lost their jobs during the Corona pandemic period to apply by December 26.

"Those who have applied will be strongly recommended to be reinstated in their jobs in their respective banks.
 I hope the banks will give their jobs back. I think none of the banks can disregard the central bank recommendation and the High Court order," he added.

Replying to a question about the denial of jobs, the central banks Executive Director also said a small number of bankers have been retrenched during the period. I don think that any bank will take any negative decision against them. I hope everyone will get their jobs back.

According to the central bank statement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had directed the Bangladesh Bank during the Corona epidemic to issue a circular so that no one is fired. The circular was issued from the central banks BRPD branch on September 16 in 2021. Violating the Prime Ministers directive, some 3,013 bank officials and employees were fired from their jobs during the period, its alleged.

But, only 50 of them have been identified. Of the 50, the High Court has dropped the prayers of three dismissed persons and has ordered the concerned to return the jobs of the remaining 47. Following the High Court order, Bangladesh Bank asked the dismissed bankers to apply to Bangladesh Bank by December 26 of 2023. The exact information on how many of the 47 applied to Bangladesh Bank for reinstatement of their jobs is not available.

However, the central bank has assured that it will strongly recommend to the concerned bank authorities to provide jobs to those who have applied for restoring their service.

Mahbub Alam, dismissed senior assistant vice president (SAVP) of Mutual Trust Bank, told this correspondent that it not impossible to give the back these jobs to the identified 47 bankers, but the  banks concerned haven yet taken any steps in this regard. As a result, they are forcing us to live a non-human life. "We have been fired disregarding the Prime Ministers orders," he said, adding, "The High Court ordered the reinstatement of the dismissed employees. The High Court also directed the central bank to take effective measures to reinstate the sacked employees. We want our jobs back," he added.