In accordance with the new government’s regulations, the SBP has extended its working days and hours for the month of Ramadan. As per the notification issued by SBP; “As per the decision of the Federal Government communicated vide Notification No.6/2/1996-D-2 dated April 12, 2022, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will observe six days working week.”
The schedule of extended days and hours
The SBP said that the new timings will come into force with immediate effect and remain unless modified or withdrawn. The extended days and hours of all commercial banks, development finance institutions and microfinance banks during the month of Ramadan-ul-Mubarak would be as follows:
Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm with prayer break from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm, whereas on Fridays office hours will be from 8.00 am to 1:00 pm without break. Banks / Microfinance banks are further advised to observe the following minimum business (banking) hours for public dealing: Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm without prayer break whereas on Fridays office hours will be from 8.00 am to 12:00 pm without break.
Read more: New Government Withdraws its Decision to Raise Salaries of Government Employees
Bankers protest
The extended timing in the month of Ramadan doesn’t sit well with the bankers, and they have announced to launch a nationwide protest. The bankers asked their colleagues on LinkedIn to spread the word; “Protest for revised banking timings and Saturday working days after namaz-e-jummah. In front of SBP I.I. Chunrigarh Road, Karachi.” They have also warned the institution that they will resign from their posts if the notification regarding extended days and hours is not taken back. Here’s their stance:
Banking 6 days a week will finish our social life. Inshallah hundreds of employees including me will resign. Those people’s whose working in other cities and they have to go home on weekends. Bankers are already doing duties for 12 hours per day. Be ashamed.#بینک_ٹائمنگ_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/oBn3K5P5u6
— Mohsin Ameer (@mohsinameer23) April 14, 2022
While, some demanded compensation
Increased timings should come with compensation package. You can’t expect people to give up their family time without any reward.#بینک_ٹائمنگ_نامنظور
— Momal Nakeer (@momalnakeer) April 14, 2022
Currently,’ #بینک_ٹائمنگ_نامنظور ‘is in the top 3 trends of Twitter. With people sympathizing with the bankers and asking the incumbent government to take care of the people in the month of Ramadan.
Source: LinkedIn
