The government has announced revised office hours for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, with all government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous offices set to operate from 9:00am to 3:30pm.
The decision was taken on Thursday at the weekly meeting of the Council of Advisers held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Dhaka, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam disclosed the decision at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy later in the afternoon. He said the revised schedule would remain in effect throughout Ramadan to accommodate fasting officials while ensuring the continuity of public services.
During office hours, a 15-minute break from 1:00pm to 1:15pm will be observed to allow employees to perform Zohr prayers, he added.
According to the Islamic Foundation, the holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin on 19 February, subject to the sighting of the moon.
Revised office timings during Ramadan are a long-standing practice in Bangladesh, aimed at balancing administrative efficiency with the physical demands of fasting. The reduced working hours are intended to help employees manage religious observances while maintaining essential government functions.
Officials said emergency services, hospitals and other critical public service providers will continue to operate under their own schedules to ensure uninterrupted services for citizens.
The announcement comes as the country prepares for a busy period that includes administrative transitions and public service demands ahead of national events. Authorities said ministries and departments have been instructed to ensure timely service delivery despite the shortened working day.
The government has also advised offices to make necessary internal adjustments to maintain productivity during Ramadan, particularly in sectors dealing with public-facing services.
