National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain warned that allowing individuals accused of embezzling billions from banks to regain ownership would endanger the economy and severely affect workers. Speaking at a May Day rally organized by Jatiya Sramik Shakti in Dhaka’s Shahbagh on Friday, he said the economy was already on the brink and that such decisions would collapse financial flows, reduce employment, and lower wages.

Hossain added that most workers still live below the minimum wage, with their children deprived of education and opportunities, trapping families in generational labor. He argued that returning ownership to those who once looted banks would further weaken the national economy.

At the same event, NCP senior joint coordinator and Noakhali-6 MP Hannan Masud said the economy survives on remittances from expatriates, while corrupt elites misuse those funds. He criticized the appointment of a garments businessman as Bangladesh Bank governor, claiming the sector is linked to major money laundering. NCP joint convener Ali Ahsan Junaed called for fair wages, safety, and representation for workers.