Govt Implements New Office Hours to Combat Energy Crisis

Following a government directive to mitigate the ongoing energy crisis, all public and private offices across Bangladesh began operating under new, reduced hours today, Sunday, April 5, 2026.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Saturday confirming the shift, which was originally decided during a cabinet meeting on Thursday night. Under the new rules, standard daily office hours have been reduced by one hour.

New Schedules at a Glance
Public and Private Offices: Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Banking Hours: Transactions will take place from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, while general banking activities will continue until 5:00 PM.

Weekend: Friday and Saturday will remain the weekly holidays.

Key Guidelines and Exemptions
The government has outlined specific protocols for different sectors to ensure essential services remain uninterrupted:

Emergency Services: Hospitals, fire services, and other critical utilities are exempt from the new schedule.

Port Banking: Bank branches and sub-branches located in sea, land, and airport areas (Port and Customs zones) will continue to operate 24/7 as per previous regulations.

Judiciary & Industry: The Supreme Court will issue separate guidelines for court timings, while the Ministry of Labour and Employment will determine hours for factories and industrial units in accordance with labor laws.

Additional Austerity Measures
Beyond office timing adjustments, the cabinet has introduced further measures to conserve electricity:

Retail Restrictions: Shopping malls and retail shops must close by 6:00 PM.

Social Events: Decorative lighting at wedding venues and social gatherings is strictly prohibited until further notice.

These strategic shifts come as the country navigates a tightened energy market, with officials emphasizing the need for collective conservation to maintain the stability of the national power grid.