Administrative action will be taken against anyone disrupting customer services, its acting Managing Director Md. Altaf Hossain said on Thursday, amid reports of a symbolic work stoppage at several branches, reports UNB.
The warning came after a section of bank officials reportedly observed a one-hour 'pen-down' strike at multiple branches in response to a call from the 'Sachetan Grahak Forum' (Conscious Customers Forum), which has been protesting for the past three days demanding removal of newly appointed Chairman Md. Khurshid Alam.
The forum on Wednesday urged employees to suspend work for an hour on Thursday in solidarity with its movement.
Speaking at the bank's head office in Dilkusha, Motijheel, Altaf Hossain clarified that the management had issued no instructions for any form of work stoppage.
"There is no such directive from our side. If any official refuses to provide services, administrative action will be taken against them," he said.
Customer services were partially or fully disrupted for about an hour in some locations although bank officials largely refrained from making public comments.
Responding to the situation, the acting MD said the bank's staff remain committed to serving customers.
"Our officers are fully ready to serve. If customers do not come forward for services, it is not possible for us to force it. It is also difficult to monitor the real-time situation of every branch from the head office," he said.
Asked about concerns over possible withdrawal pressure amid the ongoing unrest, Hossain acknowledged increased activity but said there was no cause for alarm.
"If all depositors rush to withdraw their money in a single day, any bank in the world would collapse.
