Bangladesh bank's 'modest and professional' dress code stirs controversy

The HR department of the Bangladesh Bank had also warned that failing to comply with the order could lead to disciplinary action- Representative photo

Bangladesh’s central bank  revoked a new dress code directive, three days after its human resources department created a controversy by asking employees – especially females – to dress in 'modest and professional' attire.

The HR department of the Bangladesh Bank had also warned that failing to comply with the order could lead to disciplinary action. “This instruction has been completely revoked,” Bangladesh Bank spokesman Arief Hossain Khan told reporters here.

According to the official, Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H Mansur, currently on a tour abroad, ordered the directive to be withdrawn immediately as the issue came to his knowledge through media reports.

Khan also said the previous decision was taken in the respective departmental meetings to advise all levels of officials and employees working at Bangladesh Bank to wear professional and elegant clothes during office hours considering social norms.

But, he maintained, no policy decision was taken or no circular was issued in this regard.

Khan acknowledged the decision virtually angered the governor and was revoked as per his instructions.

Under the now revoked order,  male staff were directed to wear formal shirts with long or half sleeves, along with formal trousers and shoes while wearing jeans or gabardine trousers was disallowed. The directive asked all women to wear saree, salwar-kameez with orna, or any other plain, modest, professional-coloured outfit along with simple headscarves or hijab and formal sandals or shoes.

The central bank order had debarred the women from wearing short-sleeved or length dresses and leggings. “Officials and employees of all levels must dress modestly and professionally, in line with the country’s social norms,” the directive read.

Following the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year, Islamist parties have increased their influence in Bangladesh.