Employees of International Finance Investment and Commerce (IFIC Bank PLC) have staged a significant protest demanding the resignation of the bank's Chairman, Salman F Rahman, along with all directors of Beximco, including his son. Additionally, shareholders of Social Islami Bank LTD (SIBL) demanded the dissolution of the board and the transfer of management to its rightful owner.
On Sunday, August 11, nearly 200 officials and staff members participated in the demonstration at the IFIC Bank's headquarters.
Another demand made by the IFIC protestors was the reinstatement of workers who were reportedly wrongfully fired under the administration of former Managing Director Shah A Sorrowar.
Protesters claimed that Salman F Rahman had embezzled billions of Taka from the bank and that Shah A Sorrowar had pressured numerous employees to resign.
The protestors presented a nine-point list of demands.
Nine-point demands
Employees who were forced to resign must be reinstated immediately. Those who have surpassed retirement age should be provided with promotions and increments, and all dues should be cleared.
Former MD (now Advisor) Shah A Sorrowar and his associates, alleged to be involved in corruption, should be dismissed and brought to justice.
Employees who have not received promotions for a long time should be promoted to higher grades.
The performance bonus system should be abolished, and every employee should receive an annual profit bonus according to their basic salary.
The current regulations should be abolished, and annual performance should be assessed according to Bangladesh Bank's standards.
Promotions should be based on written examinations, with at least one promotion every five years.
Executives and officers involved in corruption should be dismissed from their positions.
Intentional loan defaulters should not have their loans rescheduled or interest waived. Measures should be taken for the swift recovery of defaulted loans.
The existing culture of fear among employees should be eradicated to create a supportive and employee-friendly work environment.
SIBL Shareholders
The general shareholders of SIBL organized a human chain in front of the press club on Sunday, where they demanded the dissolution of the board of directors and the transfer of management to its rightful owner.
They also stated that by doing so, the interests of the depositor shareholders of the bank would be protected.
The shareholders demanded urgent intervention and necessary measures regarding this matter.
They further reported that on Sunday, more than two hundred officers appointed by the S Alam Group from Patiya, Chittagong, gathered in front of the bank's head office and harassed the senior officers who were appointed before 2017.
