NRB Tightens Rules on Employee Welfare, Pushes Banks Toward Inclusive Banking Services

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has introduced a new set of directives aimed at reshaping workplace practices inside banks while simultaneously expanding access to banking services for vulnerable groups. The central bank’s latest instruction focuses on two sensitive areas that have long remained under discussion in Nepal’s financial sector — employee exploitation through unpaid overtime and the lack of accessible banking infrastructure for persons with disabilities and elderly citizens.

Under the revised provision, banks and financial institutions are now required to provide overtime pay to employees who work beyond official office hours. The instruction also clearly states that no employee can be forced to work extra hours against their will. Although overtime work has remained a common practice in Nepal’s banking sector for years, many employees have frequently complained about extended working hours without adequate compensation. NRB’s move is therefore being interpreted as an attempt to address growing dissatisfaction among banking staff and to align workplace practices with labor laws.

The decision comes at a time when commercial banks are under pressure to improve operational efficiency while reducing internal human resource stress. In recent years, banking employees have increasingly raised concerns about heavy workloads, target-driven pressure, and long working hours, especially during reporting periods, audits, and peak transaction days. By making overtime compensation mandatory, the central bank appears to be signaling that financial institutions cannot prioritize profitability at the expense of employee welfare.

At the same time, NRB has also placed strong emphasis on inclusive banking services. The directive requires banks to provide priority services to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and customers who are unable to read or write. For this purpose, banks must establish dedicated service counters to ensure faster and easier access to banking facilities.

The instruction reflects a broader realization that Nepal’s banking expansion has not always translated into equal accessibility. While digital banking, mobile apps, and branch networks have expanded rapidly in recent years, many elderly citizens and differently-abled individuals still face practical barriers while accessing financial services. Long queues, inaccessible infrastructure, and limited support systems have often made banking difficult for such groups. NRB’s latest directive attempts to address those structural gaps.

Another significant aspect of the new policy is the requirement for banks and financial institutions to jointly establish at least one disability-friendly branch in every local level. The directive suggests that accessibility can no longer remain a secondary issue in Nepal’s financial system. Wheelchair-friendly infrastructure, easier physical access, and supportive service arrangements are expected to become increasingly important as regulators push for more socially responsible banking practices.

The central bank has also instructed banks to operate at least one disability-friendly ATM equipped with Braille sign control buttons and audio support features. Banks must publicly disclose the location and details of such ATMs through their official websites. Financial experts say this requirement could encourage banks to gradually modernize ATM infrastructure while improving independent access for visually impaired customers.

Analysts believe the directive carries both regulatory and symbolic significance. On one hand, it seeks to improve labor practices inside banks; on the other, it attempts to strengthen the image of Nepal’s banking system as more inclusive and service-oriented. However, implementation remains the key challenge. Smaller financial institutions, particularly those operating outside major urban centers, may face operational and financial difficulties while upgrading branches and ATM systems to meet the new standards.

Nevertheless, the policy is widely being viewed as a step toward balancing financial sector growth with social responsibility. At a time when Nepal’s banking industry is rapidly digitizing and expanding, NRB appears to be sending a message that modernization should not only be measured through technology and profits, but also through employee protection and equal access to financial services.