BRPD Circular Letter No. 27: Special Incentives for Bankers Working at Bank Premises During Government-Declared General Holidays for the COVID-19 Pandemic

BRPD Circular Letter No. 27

Managing Directors / Chief Executive Officers All Scheduled Banks operating in Bangladesh.

Dear Sir,

1. Reference is drawn to your attention to BRPD Circular Letter No. 17 issued on 17 May 2020 and BRPD Circular Letter No. 24 issued on 12 April 2020, regarding the provision of special incentive allowances to staff working on-site at banks to maintain limited banking operations during the general holidays declared by the government to prevent the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

2. In light of the emergence of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), instructions were issued to provide special incentives to those staff members who actively participated in banking operations at the bank premises to maintain limited banking operations and to keep the banking sector active.

3. Now, considering the necessity to continue banking operations and to revive the economy through the gradual withdrawal of limited banking operations and the return to normal banking operations, the Bangladesh Bank has taken various steps. In this context, it is necessary for Scheduled Banks to take necessary measures to return to normal banking operations gradually.

4. In this context, it is observed that there is no need to continue the provision of special incentive allowances for bankers working on-site at banks for operational purposes after 28 May.

5. In this situation, the eligibility for the special incentive allowance shall remain in effect for two (2) months from the date of the start of the general holidays declared by the government in accordance with the instructions of the aforementioned two circular letters, or until 28 May 2020, whichever is earlier. It shall not be effective thereafter.

6. However, from 29 May 2020 onwards, during the government-declared general holidays, bank staff/employees commuting to the bank premises under their own bank policies/regulations shall be eligible for travel allowances (commuting expenses).

7. This circular letter is issued under the powers vested in Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991.

Yours faithfully,

(Mohammad Shahriar Siddique) Deputy General Manager Phone: 9530727

Copy to:

• Director, Banking Regulation and Policy Department
• Bangladesh Bank
• Head Office
• Dhaka.

Date: 03 Joishtha 1427 17 May 2020