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Foreign banks tell staffers not to wear 'western dress' By Zulfiqar Ali
The new instructions to wear traditional clothing has instilled fear in bank staffers, particularly female employees. -File Photo PESHAWAR: Several foreign banks have issued directives to its staffers in Peshawar not to wear 'western dress' during duty hours, infusing fear among the employees, particularly females, who have also been directed to wear dupata (chadder). Staff of a Middle East-based bank told Dawn that orders have been issued on Friday asking all employees not to wear pants, shirts, neckties and strictly obey the new dress code. Male employees of major banks have been directed to wear traditional shalwar and qameez (shirt). The management of a Dubai-based bank said that the ban has been imposed keeping in view prevailing security situation in the region. 'This is only precautionary measures, but we did not receive any threat from Taliban or militants,' said an official of a foreign bank.'We have to obey, if the bank’s management instructs us to wear a cap we will follow it,' remarked a bank employee. Sources said that top management of the banks were not aware of the new dress code introduced in Peshawar. They said that local management had taken the decision. The new dress code has totally changed the environment inside the bank branches, where well dressed youth would cast an impression on visitors. The decision however has sparked fear among employees of banks.Earlier pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, major beverage companies and management of public and private sector hospitals had strictly restricted its employees from wearing pants and neckties. The phenomenon surfaced in the provincial capital when unidentified persons thrashed a salesman of a pharmaceutical company wearing pants in front of a medical center in Debgeri Garden one month ago.Salesmen had staged a protest demonstration against the incidents and asked the companies and government to provide security. After this incident chief executives of two major public sector health facilities, Lady Reading Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex, have directed their staff including senior and junior doctors to wear shalwar and qameez. The staffs have now been following traditional dress code.Teaching Staff Association of the Khyber Medical College and Postgraduate Medical Institute Lady Reading Hospital has strongly condemned the decision of the chief executives to circulate the office order to the staff regarding abandoning wearing shirt and pant.'It shows as if these hospitals operated under the Taliban', said a senior member of the association. DAWN:Sunday ,May 24, 2009 |
