The Bangladesh Bank has issued a circular directing the authorities of the scheduled banks to ensure maternal leave of six months for all their female staffs. The circular of the central bank dated January 9 said that this directive has been issued as per section 45 (1) under the Bank Company Act, 1991 and this will take immediate effect. It said the tenure of maternal leave for all the permanent and temporary female officials and employees of the scheduled banks will be six months and they will be able to enjoy such leave for highest two times in their entire service period. This leave will not be adjusted to other leave while the concerned female bank officials and employees will get their usual salaries and allowances during the maternal leave period.