Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar met with Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmad on Monday to discuss strengthening workplace harassment protections, promoting gender equality, and advancing safer, more inclusive environments across the banking sector. The meeting focused on creating a robust framework to ensure that financial institutions remain professional and secure for all employees.
During the meeting, Viqar congratulated the governor on the State Bank's 'Banking on Equality' policy. She emphasised the critical importance of encouraging commercial banks to strengthen initiatives addressing workplace harassment and gender-based discrimination, noting that the financial sector serves as a backbone for the national economy and must set a standard for corporate conduct.
The Federal Ombudsperson urged the promotion of gender equality within the workforce. She specifically highlighted the necessity of ensuring strict compliance with maternity and paternity leave provisions as mandated under the 2023 legislation.
These protections are essential for retaining talent and supporting a healthy work-life balance for banking professionals. Viqar further stressed the need for banks to display the code of conduct prominently across all offices.
She suggested that the names and contact details of inquiry committee members must be made easily accessible on internal portals and intranets. By increasing transparency, the institution aims to empower staff members to report grievances without fear of reprisal.
These measures are designed to help ensure that employees are fully aware of their legal rights. Furthermore, it allows staff to better understand available complaint mechanisms and know exactly where to seek assistance if they face misconduct.
The SBP Governor acknowledged the importance of these suggestions and expressed a commitment to integrating these standards across the banking industry. The discussion also touched upon the broader impact of inclusive policies on institutional performance.
Both leaders agreed that a workplace free from harassment leads to higher productivity and better employee retention rates. This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward modernizing the human resource policies within Pakistan's financial landscape.
The Federal Ombudsperson's office has been actively engaging with various sectors to ensure that the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act is implemented in its true spirit. By partnering with the central bank, the office aims to create a ripple effect that will influence private sector practices nationwide.
Governor Jameel Ahmad assured that the State Bank would continue to monitor the progress of these initiatives. He noted that the central bank is committed to fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated and every employee feels safe and respected.
As the banking sector continues to evolve, the integration of these protective measures is expected to build greater trust among the workforce. The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to hold periodic reviews to assess the implementation of these guidelines across all banking institutions.
This initiative is part of a larger national agenda to improve workplace safety standards. By setting clear expectations for banks, the authorities hope to encourage other corporate sectors to adopt similar transparency and accountability measures in the near future.