HC questions BB move to fix pvt bank employees’ minimum pay

Bangladesh High Court

Dhaka, Feb 7 – The High Court on Monday asked the government to explain why the circular issued by the Bangladesh Bank fixing minimum salary of employees of private banks should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman issued the rule.

Secretary of the finance ministry and governor of Bangladesh Bank have been made respondents to the rule which is returnable in one week.

The HC also appointed four amicus curiae for hearing the rule. They are—Attorney General AM Amin Uddin, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court Ajmalul Hossain QC, Rokon Uddin Mahmud and Prabir Niogi.

Advocate AM Masum stood for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar represented the state.

On January 20, Bangladesh Bank (BB) has fixed the minimum salary for the entry level officials of private banks which will be effective from March 1.

On February 1, BB issued another circular amending the previous one.

On February 3, a writ was filed challenging the circulars of the central bank. According to the writ it can interfere on the management policy of private banks but it can’t fix the salary of the bankers as they follow different salary structures. - UNB