DHAKA, April 15, 2025 (BSS) - The government has unveiled a service engagement policy for outsourcing service workers to mark the Bengali New Year 1432.

The policy provides for an increase in monthly service fees, as well as benefits like festival bonuses, maternity leaves and pensions.

Mentioned as a special Bengali New Year's gift from Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, the policy aims to ensure efficient, transparent, accountable, and high-quality services through outsourcing, while also motivating service workers, said a press release of the Ministry of Finance.

The policy includes an increase in monthly service fees across five general categories and three specialized service areas.

Service workers will receive bonuses amounting to 50 percent of their monthly service fee on two annual festivals. They will also receive a Boishakhi bonus equivalent to 20 percent of their monthly service fee during the Bengali New Year.

The policy also provides for 15 days of annual leave for service workers and mandates training related to core job responsibilities at their respective institutions. 

In every fiscal year, two sets of uniforms will be provided to each service worker, which they must wear while on duty.

For female workers, the policy grants 45 days of maternity leave and prioritises them for women-friendly roles.

Financial security has been emphasized for the service workers as well. Service workers will be eligible to enroll themselves in the Universal Pension Scheme being run by the National Pension Authority. 

Monthly payments will be made directly to the workers' bank accounts or via mobile financial services (MFS) and will be disbursed within the first week of the following month.

The policy also highlights that service fees and incentives will be determined by the Finance Division's updated guidelines. Designated working hours will be considered as the official service time.

If additional services are required beyond the standard scope of work, extra remuneration may be granted as per the agreement subject to the approval of the Finance Division.