Bangladesh cuts work hours in sweeping energy-saving drive

The government of Bangladesh has introduced a sweeping set of measures aimed at reducing fuel and electricity consumption, including shorter working hours across both public and private sectors, according to The Daily Star.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani announced the steps during a press conference on Thursday, April 2, outlining changes designed to ease pressure on the country’s energy system.

Under the new regulations, office working hours will be reduced by one hour. Banks will operate from 9:00 to 15:00, while other offices will remain open until 16:00 to complete related administrative tasks. Markets and shopping centres must close by 18:00. However, essential services — including grocery stores, pharmacies, and food outlets — are exempt from these restrictions.

In addition to adjusting working hours, the government has mandated a 30% reduction in energy sector expenditures. It has also imposed a three-month suspension on the purchase of new vehicles and computer equipment for government agencies, cut foreign travel by civil servants by half, and reduced official entertainment and representation expenses by 50%.

To ease transportation demand, authorities have approved duty-free imports of electric buses for school transportation, lowered import duties on new electric buses for commercial use to 20%, and banned the import of used buses. The government has also prohibited the use of decorative lighting at weddings and private events as part of broader energy-saving efforts.

The measures come as Bangladesh faces mounting energy pressures. The country imports around 95% of its oil and 30% of its gas, primarily from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. According to The Daily Star, the situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has triggered temporary fuel rationing for transport and forced the shutdown of several industrial facilities, including fertiliser plants.

By Tamilla Hasanova