Desk Report,
It remains to be seen why Bangladesh Bank suddenly issued such an order.
The withdrawal of Bangladesh Bank’s directive on clothing is a good initiative. I welcome this decision. There was criticism in various quarters about the directive on clothing.
It remains to be seen why Bangladesh Bank suddenly issued such an order.
Offices and courts are places of formal activities. There are some strict instructions in some places about what kind of appropriate clothing should be worn by office officials and employees. In many countries of the world, there is nothing written about clothing in government institutions. However, officials and employees wear formal, appropriate clothing there. Many times, there are instructions on clothing in the private sector or corporate sector. But the matter is sensitive. So, in many offices, there is nothing written. But there are unwritten recommendations and expectations from the authorities. However, care must be taken so that the freedom of the individual is not curtailed. Everyone knows that jeans, gabardine and sandals cannot be worn to the office. Perhaps Bangladesh Bank did not have any written instructions on this matter for so long. That is why now the directive on clothing was given.
Perhaps Bangladesh Bank gave such instructions to bring some formality to its working environment. But why Bangladesh Bank suddenly gave such instructions is a matter of interest. The officers and employees of this organization already wear appropriate clothes. I do not know whether there was any discussion at the highest level in this regard. We also do not know whether there was any discussion with the officers and employees of the organization in this regard. But I think that this may have been just a recommendation, not an instruction. And it is better if such matters remain at the level of recommendations or expectations from the authorities.
Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, CPD
