Ex-Bankers Protest for Justice in Chittagong

Former officials and employees of state-owned and private banks in Chittagong staged a peaceful demonstration on Sunday, demanding justice, reinstatement, and structural reforms within the banking sector. The programme was held outside a prominent city hotel and drew over a hundred participants from Chittagong and neighbouring districts.

According to the organisers, the primary objective of the protest was to draw the attention of political leaders and policymakers to persistent issues within the banking sector. They alleged that for years, arbitrary dismissals, discrimination, and procedural lapses have been commonplace. Speakers emphasised that without robust political and regulatory intervention, ensuring fairness, accountability, and professional security for banking personnel would remain unattainable.

Participants arrived wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the words “Dismissed Banker,” which they described as a shared identity and a symbol of years of professional marginalisation. During the demonstration, they chanted slogans calling for justice, job restoration, protection of labour rights, and the safeguarding of democratic freedoms. Organisers repeatedly stressed that the event was conducted in a completely peaceful, orderly, and non-violent manner.

The dismissed bankers claimed that many had lost their jobs due to political beliefs, trade union involvement, or opposition to internal irregularities and corruption. They alleged that in numerous cases, dismissals were executed without written notice, transparent investigation, or departmental hearings. This, they argued, has led to severe financial hardship and social uncertainty for the affected employees and their families.

Elias Hossain, a former banker, told reporters that sudden dismissals after long years of service had left many struggling under heavy debt burdens. “Families are facing extreme difficulty in meeting children’s education, healthcare, and daily expenses,” he said. He added that without impartial investigations and fair trials, morale, professionalism, and confidence within the banking sector would continue to deteriorate.

Protesters noted a worrying trend over the past decade: increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and dissent within banks, which they say has directly contributed to a rise in dismissals. They framed the issue not as an individual grievance but as a national concern tied to institutional justice, labour rights, and long-term stability of the country’s financial system.

Towards the conclusion of the programme, organisers warned that if their demands were ignored, they would escalate the campaign to a nationwide movement. They stressed that sustainable stability, accountability, and professional trust in banking could not be achieved without ensuring justice for dismissed employees.

Key Demands of the Protesters

Organisers expressed optimism that in the context of potential political change, their demands would be taken seriously, paving the way for a more just, transparent, and rights-respecting banking environment in the country.