Banks too get 9-day holiday

Bangladesh Bank and all other banks will remain closed for 9 straight days starting Friday, July 1.

Bangladesh Bank yesterday issued two separate circulars, one which says that the banks will remain closed on Monday July 4, instead of Saturday July 16, which is usually a weekly holiday.

However, certain branches of banks that are in the industrial zones at Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Narayanganj, Chittagong, Comilla, Mymensingh and Tangail will remain open on July 2 and 3 with adequate security measures, for the sake of paying wages, bonus and other allowances to workers.

Meanwhile, the holidays on account of the Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul Fitr and the weekly holidays totals 8 days. So the government, in an executive order, has announced July 4 as a holiday.

The extra holiday will be adjusted by keeping July 16 as a working day.

The BB has directed the banks to pay proper allowances to the officials who will work on July 2 and 3.

Abdul Matlub Ahmad, president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, welcomed the decision of a long holiday, as both the government and private sector employees need some time off to relax, just like during holidays in the West.

“In the western world, people enjoy their lives after work. The employees in Bangladesh should relax during the holidays too. They will be able to visit their near and dears ones during the long holidays,” Ahmad said.

The businesses will not face any major challenge, as some vital bank branches will remain open on July 2 and 3.

Business transactions will also slow down during the break for a thin presence of people, he said. “We will not face any major problem in business due to the long holidays during Eid-ul-Fitr. We appreciate the decision,” said Ahmad.

Siddiqur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, also welcomed the decision.

“Our shipments will not be affected during the long break. Our factories will also remain closed at the time.” The apparel exporters will not face any challenges because the relevant bank branches will remain open on July 2 and 3, he said.

The decision for a long break is good news for the workers as they will not face any rush for buses and trains this year, he said. They can travel peacefully, he added.