The Central Bank of Banks sent 15 binding indicative clarifications to implement the decision to work remotely in the banking sector and reduce the number of employees who must attend to the branches as part of efforts to contain and eradicate the "Corona" virus.
The Central Bank said in a circular sent to all financial institutions and banks in the country and Emirates Today obtained a copy of it. He said that, in addition to the previous circular regarding the priority of remote work for most workers in bank departments, financial institutions and exchange companies and their branches that are under his supervision, it is required 30 % Of employees who occupy vital positions work from offices.
He added that banks and financial institutions may take the necessary decisions regarding reducing the working hours of the branches and closing some of them temporarily, provided that the services provided to the clients are not affected, as of Sunday, March 29, 2020 for a period of two weeks, which can be extended.
The Central Bank stated in its new circular that it expects banks to provide banking services to all customers in view of the current challenges and procedures implemented by the competent authorities, noting that it recommends banks and other financial institutions operating in the UAE to consider more measures in terms of operating their business model from During the following: Reducing the number of employees in the clearing and “cashier” services, closing the smaller selected branches temporarily (the bank should implement them), as well as reducing or shortening the opening hours and workers in the branches, as this will have a limited impact on customers, such as window Open for three Three hours in the morning, in addition to reducing or shortening the opening hours and branch workers, such as an open window for three hours in the morning.
Among the clarifications that came in the new circular, was to identify the types of transactions that the branches can provide and encourage customers to benefit from online services, in addition to identifying categories of employees who are eligible to work from home, taking into account health and safety priorities, i.e. pregnant women and mothers of children in G-9 And below it, duties that do not require physical presence in the workplace, along with people of determination, employees who suffer from respiratory problems, weak immune systems, and employees whose ages are more than 60 years.
Also, employees who work from home as regular and financial institutions should be compensated and those who cannot work through the home, such as allowing sick leave, annual leave, and leave at bank expense, should be compensated, avoiding clustering in branches that remain open.
Al-Markazi indicated that crowding and simulation should be managed with fewer numbers of clients allowed to enter each branch with social spacing to be maintained between those in the queues through: Using virtual meeting rooms and video conferences, in addition to strengthening internal and external communications for clients, as well as Managing customer complaints appropriately and resolving them within agreed timelines, in addition to managing fraud incidents and increasing customer awareness.
Al-Markazi explained that in the event that the “closure” is implemented by the competent authorities in the Emirates, the following important banking services are expected to continue:
1- ATMs, payment mechanism, payment systems, online banking services, mobile banking, telephone banking and call center.
2- Clearing checks, even if they are reduced in line with the instructions of the Central Bank, which are required to be implemented, that is, they are reduced to more than two sessions per week (for example, Monday and Thursday).
3- Documentary trade is handled twice a week (for example Monday and Thursday).