Bangladesh Bank (BB) has requested two weeks in the High Court to hear the minimum wage rule for junior civil servants and private bank employees.
The petitioner’s lawyers, however, opposed the prayer, saying that once the salary structure takes effect, the petition in writ will become unsuccessful.
“So a speedy hearing is needed to pass a directive on the matter,” they argued.
After hearing from the parties, the High Court bench consisting of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman set March 2 for the rules hearing.
Barrister Fida M Kamal appeared in court on behalf of Bangladesh Bank, while Barrister AM Masum, Md Farhad Bin Hossain, Saifur Rahman Rahi and Syed Mahsib Hossain appeared for the claimant. Deputy Attorney General Bepul Bagmar represented the state.
Lawyer Md Farhad Bin Hossain, also a shareholder of One Bank through the BO account, filed the motion for an order challenging the BB circular, issued on January 20, on setting the minimum wage for employees.
At the primary hearing on the petition, the High Court issued a rule on 7 February calling on relevant government bodies to explain within a week why the BB Circular set Tk 28,000 as the minimum wage for a assistant officer, a trainee assistant officer, trainee assistant treasury officer and equivalent officer and Tk 39,000 as their total minimum salary after the probationary period shall not be declared without legal permission.
In the settlement, the court also wanted to know why the term of the same circular which fixed the minimum starting salary of the messenger, cleaner, security guard, support staff or other positions equivalent to Tk 24,000 does not should not be reported without lawful authorization. .
The finance secretary and the governor of the Bangladesh Bank were told to comply with the rule within a week.
The court also appointed four prominent lawyers as “amici curiae (friends of the court)” to find out whether the central bank has the power to issue such a circular.
The amici curiae are Attorney General AM Amin Uddin, lawyers Ajmalul Hossain, Rokanuddin Mahmud and Probir Neogi.
For the first time in history, Bangladesh Bank on January 20 this year set the minimum salary for junior civil servants in private banks to encourage young talents to pursue careers in the bank and play a role in development. economy of the country.
The central bank said the entry salary for an assistant officer, trainee assistant officer, trainee assistant cashier or equivalent officials would be at least Tk 28,000 during the trial period and that their total salary, including base, would be at least Tk 39,000 per month after the trial period ends. period.
Lawyer Syed Mahsib Hossain said that the circular is completely arbitrary and absurd in the current scenario of our country’s financial sector, especially during the pandemic situation.
“The financial situation of most banks is currently very critical. If the central bank sets the minimum wage, the banks will face more crisis,” added the lawyer.
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