The Workers and Employees Union (CBA) of Uttara Bank PLC has not held an election for nearly 17 years. Although labour law provides for elections every two years, no election has been held since 2009. The prolonged absence of an election has raised questions about the union’s activities, the legitimacy of its leadership and its alleged influence over various administrative affairs of the bank.
According to bank sources, the last election of the Uttara Bank Limited Workers and Employees Union (Registration No. B-1936) was held on March 12, 2009. Jallal Ahmed was elected president and Abu Mohammad Ahsanul Habib general secretary in that election. No subsequent election has been held.
Several current and former CBA leaders allege that Ahsanul Habib has maintained control over the organisation since the last election. They claim that he has built an influential network and exerted influence over recruitment, transfers, tenders and other administrative matters of the bank. He has also been accused of filing cases against and harassing leaders who opposed him.
Mohammad Abdul Motaleb, a former executive president of the CBA, said they had faced legal cases and harassment despite being members of the same committee.
“We were imprisoned for a long time and also lost our jobs. Despite being elected leaders, Jallal Ahmed and other CBA leaders, including myself, were unable to enter the office,” he said.
Several people familiar with the matter alleged that a number of CBA leaders, including former president Jallal Ahmed, faced multiple lawsuits between 2014 and 2017. They claimed that Ahsanul Habib had a role in initiating those cases. They also alleged that several CBA leaders were arrested and dismissed from their jobs in connection with a case filed in 2017. These allegations could not be independently verified.
A CBA leader also alleged that after the political changeover on August 5, 2024, Ahsanul Habib sought to maintain his influence at the bank by establishing links with new political and labour leaders. The leader also referred to photographs circulated on social media that purportedly showed Habib participating in programmes with leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated labour organisation.
There are further allegations that after his employment term expired, Habib secured a two-year extension as a Grade-II officer from January 7, 2026, to January 7, 2028, with a monthly salary of around Tk 130,000. The complainants have questioned whether a contractual employee can hold a leadership position in a trade union.
Habib has also been accused of pressuring the bank authorities to recruit 12 people in April without issuing a recruitment notice. There are additional allegations that he has influenced tenders, transfers and other administrative decisions at different times.
Ahsanul Habib, however, denied the allegations.
“These are the words of people who are trying to malign me,” he said.
Regarding Jallal Ahmed’s resignation, Habib claimed that Ahmed had resigned from the bank citing physical illness and left after receiving Tk 1.36 crore. He said he could provide documents relating to the resignation.
Asked why the CBA election had not been held for such a long period, Habib said, “Everything cannot be discussed over the phone. You can meet me in person.”
Uttara Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Abul Hashem was contacted for comments. He said he was in Dhamrai, Savar, on urgent official business. After being sent an SMS regarding the allegations, he replied at around 8pm that he was in a meeting with colleagues and could not comment on the matter at that time.
The absence of a CBA election for nearly 17 years has raised questions about the legitimacy and functioning of the union’s leadership. Against this backdrop, questions remain over compliance with labour law, the union’s constitution and the process for holding a fresh election.