Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The central bank of Bangladesh has asked the commercial banks for taking necessary measures to make mobile phone numbers of garment workers as their bank accounts for strengthening the ongoing financial inclusion program in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Bank (BB), the country’s central bank, gave the instruction at a meeting of bankers, held in the central bank on Thursday with its Governor Atiur Rahman in the chair.
“We’ve asked the banks, which have already started mobile banking services, to provide such services to the readymade garment (RMG) workers,” Deputy Governor of the BB S K Sur Chowdhury told reporters after the meeting.
He also said the central bank is also thinking of opening bank accounts for the RMG workers like farmer bank accounts.
The country’s farmers are allowed to open account with the state-owned banks with a nominal deposit of just BDT 10.
The RMG is considered the country’s largest foreign currency earner, constituting more than 16 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), nearly 80 per cent total export receipts, and providing direct employment to around 4.0 million people, of which 80 per cent are women.
“It will be easier and safe to send money if the mobile banking accounts are introduced for the garment workers,” Chairman of the Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB) Nurul Amin said.
BBN/SSR/AD-17May13-6:01 pm (BST)
