Minimum wage decision
to be difficult by March

Minimum pay for bankers set Tk 24,000 BAB after meeting with BB

Staff Correspondent: It is not possible for the bankers to accept the fixed salary rules of Bangladesh Bank now. It will be difficult for the bank to accept this decision from March. Therefore, Bankers Association of Bangladesh (BAB) wants time to discuss this issue in more detail and implement it. The organization hopes that the time will be extended to comply with their demands.
Nazrul Islam Majumder, president of the Bankers’ Association of Bangladesh and chairman of Exim Bank, told reporters after a meeting with the central bank governor yesterday.
On the same day, Central Bank Governor Fazle Kabir was met by the chairmen of various banks as well as some MDs including Selim RF Hossain, chairman of ABB, the chief executive body of the bank and MD of BRAC Bank.
During the discussion, the ABB leaders called for reconsideration of some decisions including
pay scale and non-dismissal of unskilled workers. The governor wants time to discuss the issue in detail and implement the decision. Banks will be under pressure to implement the directive.
Exim Bank Chairman Nazrul Islam Majumder said, “The talks have been fruitful. Bangladesh Bank has made an excellent decision for the bank officials. We want to implement this decision considering the socio-economic condition of the bankers and the balance of the bank. If this decision is implemented now, there may be dissatisfaction among other officials of the bank. However, it will be difficult for banks to comply with the central bank’s decision from March.
Bangladesh Bank spokesman and executive director Sirajul Islam told reporters that the leaders of the Bankers’ Association of Bangladesh had requested for an extension of time to implement the decision. The central bank will consider their application.
Earlier, on January 20, Bangladesh Bank had fixed a salary of Tk 28,000 for trainee officers of all banks and Tk 39,000 at the end of probation. The minimum wage for employees is set at Tk 24,000.