BRPD Circular No. 01: Issuance of Maternity Leave Policy for Female Employees working in the Banks

Department No.: BRPD/Reg/PD Banking Regulation and Policy Department Bangladesh Bank Head Office Dhaka. 9 January, 2020 BRPD Circular No.-01 Date: ------------------ 25 Poush, 1426 Managing Director / Chief Executive All Scheduled Banks operating in Bangladesh. Regarding the provision of maternity leave to female employees/officers working in banks. Dear Sir, The participation, development and progress of women in the sector is one of the key regulators of overall national development. Various initiatives have been taken for the empowerment of women in Bangladesh. As a result, success has been achieved in increasing women's participation in various professions including banking and in various fields of women's development including education. The Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh has formulated various supportive policies regarding maternity leave for female officers employed in government service. Through SR.O. No.-186-Am/Adm/Reg-2/Holiday-3/2001 dated 09/07/2001, SR.O. No.-05/File No.- 07.175.008.08. 00.001.2000/Law/2011 dated 09/01/2011 and SR.O. No.-04/File No. 07.00.0000.171.08.00.001. 12/Law/2012 dated 01/04/2012 of the Ministry of Establishment, the rules for maternity leave for female officers in government service have been updated by amending Rule 197 of the Civil Service Regulations (CSR). Through BRPD Circular Letter No.-01 dated 28/03/2013 issued by this department regarding maternity leave for female employees/officers of scheduled banks, the period of maternity leave for female employees/officers was enhanced to 6 (six) months based on SR.O. No.-05/File No.-07.175.008.08.00. 001.2000/Law/2011 issued by the Establishment Division of the Ministry of Establishment on 09/01/2011, and through BRPD Circular Letter No.-08 dated 17/06/2015, guidelines were provided regarding annual performance evaluation in the year of availing maternity leave. Nevertheless, variations are observed in the application of maternity leave provisions in the banking sector. 2. Now, in light of the maternity leave rules of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the instructions contained in the circular letters previously issued by Bangladesh Bank on this matter, it is advised to follow the following policy to implement uniform provisions regarding maternity leave for female employees/officers of scheduled banks: (a) The duration of maternity leave shall be 6 (six) months. All permanent and temporary female employees/officers, irrespective of the length of service, will be eligible for this leave. A female employee/officer can avail this leave a maximum of 2 (two) times during her entire career. Maternity leave cannot be adjusted with any other leave. (b) The concerned female employee/officer will be entitled to receive normal salary/allowances during the maternity leave. (c) In case of resolving disputes raised regarding maternity leave, the relevant government provisions shall be followed. (d) In the case of annual performance evaluation of female employees/officers in the year they avail maternity leave, the previous year's performance evaluation or the average of the annual performance evaluations of the previous three years, whichever is better, should be considered. 3. These instructions are issued under the authority vested in Section 45(1) of the Companies Act, 1991. 4. These instructions shall come into force immediately. Yours faithfully, (Md. Rezaul Islam) General Manager Phone: 9530252