Banks in Garment Hubs to Operate During Eid Holidays

In a move aimed at facilitating wage disbursement and export transactions, Bangladesh Bank has directed that selected branches in ready-made garment (RMG) industrial zones remain open during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, even as the government-declared public holiday is observed nationwide.

The directive, issued on Tuesday, 10 March, by the Department of Off-Site Supervision of Bangladesh Bank, specifies that commercial banks in garment-heavy areas will operate on a limited schedule to ensure that workers receive their salaries, allowances, and bonuses on time, and that exporters can settle bills efficiently.

According to the notification, the public holidays fall on 18 March (Wednesday) and 19 March (Thursday). During these days, designated branches located within industrial hubs will remain open under strict security arrangements.

The affected regions include Dhaka Metropolitan Area, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram. These branches will operate exclusively to handle customer transactions, while internal office work will continue as per schedule.

Operating Schedule During Eid Holidays

The central bank has further instructed that staff deployed on duty during the holidays must be compensated with allowances as per regulatory provisions. This ensures that employees handling these essential operations receive due recognition and remuneration for their extra efforts.

Bank authorities are tasked with maintaining adequate security at all branches to safeguard both staff and customers, given the limited but crucial banking services being offered during the festive period. The initiative reflects a balance between maintaining public convenience and observing the national holiday.

Industry stakeholders, including garment owners and worker unions, have welcomed the decision, noting that timely wage payments and uninterrupted export transactions are critical during peak production periods ahead of Eid.

This limited operational arrangement exemplifies Bangladesh Bank’s proactive approach to supporting the country’s RMG sector, which remains a backbone of the national economy, especially during high-demand seasons like Eid.