All banks must follow similar rule for maternity leaves: Bangladesh Bank

The Bangladesh Bank has instructed all banks to abide by the rule of six-month maternity leave for all of their female employees. 

It also asked to follow the previous government order with respect to the evaluation of female staffers' performance during their maternity leave period.

A female employee will get maternity leave twice during her entire service period, which cannot be adjusted with other leaves. Female staff in both permanent positions and on probation will get the facility. 

The central bank on Thursday wrote to chief executives of all the banks to this effect. 

While enjoying the maternity leave, women workers will get regular salary and other allowances as usual. 

While evaluating the annual performance of female employees who enjoyed maternity leave that particular year, the Bangladesh Bank suggested the banks to take into consideration their last year's performance or average performance of last three years.

In 2013 and 2015, the central bank had issued different circulars to ensure maternity leave and other facilities for female employees. 

But the banks had been following the instructions haphazardly.  That is why, the Bangladesh Bank has issued the new circular suggesting the same rule for all the banks.

The rate of female employees in the banking sector is only 15 percent while their participation is much higher in the public service. 

According to the Bangladesh Bank data, some 25,771 female employees have been employed in this sector as of June 2019.