Weekly holiday may rise

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has unsettled the global energy market, with ripple effects now being felt in Bangladesh.

In response to rising costs and potential supply shortages, the government is exploring a range of cost-saving and energy management measures, including the possibility of extending weekly holidays for public sector employees.

Sources say authorities are also weighing options such as introducing work-from-home arrangements and adjusting office hours to reduce energy consumption.

However, no final decisions have been taken so far.
All government institutions have already been instructed to draft their own energy-saving plans, which will be reviewed at the next cabinet meeting before any policy decisions are finalised.
At the same time, officials are considering partially shifting educational institutions to online classes to ease pressure on energy demand.
A directive issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Sunday has reinforced earlier energy-saving guidelines.
Offices have been asked to maximise the use of natural daylight, keep air conditioner temperatures at 25 degrees Celsius or higher, and switch off unnecessary electrical devices.
The directive also calls for limiting excess lighting and ensuring efficient electricity use.
To enforce these measures, there are plans to form monitoring or “vigilance” teams within each office.
The strain on the global energy market is largely driven by disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict, particularly affecting oil and LNG supplies.
Concerns over the Strait of Hormuz a key global energy transit route have further heightened uncertainty, posing risks for import-dependent countries like Bangladesh.
Amid the supply crunch, Bangladesh is increasingly relying on costly spot market purchases beyond its long-term contracts, pushing up overall energy expenses.
The country is also becoming more dependent on expensive furnace oil for power generation, while limited domestic refining capacity is forcing higher imports of refined fuel at elevated prices.