The Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday asked the scheduled banks to open bank accounts with an initial deposit of Tk 100 for readymade garments workers so that the workers could receive their wages and allowances through the accounts. To this end, the BB issued a circular to managing directors and chief executive officers of all banks asking them not to impose any kind of charges and fees on the workers accounts.
RMG workers will be able to open the accounts with the banks by placing their national identity cards and institutional ID cards issued by their respective garment industries, the circular said.
The banks will not be allowed to impose any outstanding balance on the workers’ accounts, it said.
The banks will be able to use vouchers to transact with the accounts, if they do not have available cheque books.
The BB asked the banks to provide it the information about the workers accounts on quarterly basis and they would send the report within 15 days after the end of each quarter.
The banks will have to send the first report of October-December quarter of 2013 by January 15, 2014.
The BB also asked the banks to ensure the other banking services for the RMG workers having the accounts.
‘The RMG is considered the country’s largest foreign currency earner, constituting more than 16 per cent of the gross domestic product, nearly 80 per cent total export receipts, and providing direct employment to around 40 lakh people, of which 80 per cent are women,’ a BB official told New Age on Tuesday.
‘So, the BB has taken the initiative to bring the RMG workers under the banking services.’
The BB earlier urged the banks to take steps to open mobile bank accounts for the garments workers with a minimum deposit Tk 10.
-With New Age input
