The Bangladesh Bank has issued a directive outlining a dress code for all employees, advising them to wear modest and professional attire at the workplace.
The instruction, made by the central bank's Human Resources Department-2 on July 21, provides specific guidelines for both male and female staff.
According to the directive, female employees are advised to wear sarees, salwar-kameez with dupattas, or other modest and formal dresses.
It discourages short-sleeved or short-length outfits and the use of leggings.
However, women may wear plain headscarves or hijabs if they choose, and formal shoes or sandals are permitted.
Male employees have been instructed to wear full or half-sleeved formal shirts paired with formal pants.
The use of jeans and gabardine trousers has been explicitly prohibited. The directive notes that failure to follow the dress code may be considered a disciplinary issue.
Bangladesh Bank executive director and spokesperson Areif Hussain Khan in a statement said that the instruction was made after noticing variations in attire among employees of different age groups.
These differences, he explained, were observed amongst both male and female colleagues.
The circular aims at reducing psychological gaps and reinforcing mutual understanding and bonding among colleagues of the same gender.
He clarified that the circular is advisory in nature and does not impose any restriction on wearing burqas or hijabs.
Areif further stated that while the circular discourages overly ornate or extravagant clothing, it does not curtail individual freedom in choosing what to wear, as long as it aligns with a professional setting.
BB officials said that the circular was aligned with Bangladesh Bank Staff Regulations 2003, specifically section 39, which deals with proper conduct toward female colleagues.
Additionally, it outlines procedures for addressing sexual harassment complaints, stating that such complaints must be submitted within 30 working days to the designated committee under the HR Division-1.
