The government has announced revised working hours for public and private offices to conserve energy and mitigate the effects of the Middle East conflict.
Under the new directive, all government and private offices will operate from 9am to 4pm, while banks will close at 3pm.
All shops, markets, and shopping malls are required to shut by 6pm, and no decorative lighting will be allowed in private or commercial spaces.
Essential services such as hotels, pharmacies, emergency service providers, and local vegetable markets are exempt.
The decision was taken during a three-hour Cabinet meeting held Thursday night at the Cabinet Room of the National Parliament Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani briefed the media following the meeting, highlighting the government’s efforts to ensure energy conservation while maintaining essential services.
“The discussion focused on managing supply disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict,” Nasimul Ghani said. “Several measures have been approved, including reducing office hours for all government and private offices by one hour.”
He further explained that internal training programmes have been cut by 50 percent, and all foreign training funded by the government has been suspended until further notice.
Hospitality expenditures for official meetings and seminars will also be reduced by half, while spending on energy, electricity, and gas will be cut by 30 percent. Unnecessary official travel will be limited, with related expenses reduced by 30 percent.
Additionally, the purchase of new vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, and computer equipment will be suspended for the next three months.
Regarding education, Nasimul Ghani said the Ministry of Education will issue area-specific directives from Sunday based on local conditions and requirements.
The cabinet meeting was attended by all ministers, with the prime minister emphasising strict implementation of the measures and instructing officials to keep the public informed about the situation.
Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and Cabinet Division were present during the media briefing.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the Bangladesh Shop Owners and Traders Association had announced that shops and malls should close by 8pm. The government’s new directive moves the closing time forward to 6pm.
