7-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday announced
The government has declared a seven-day public holiday on the occasion of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha, with all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices across the country to remain closed from 25 May to 31 May, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Thursday.
The announcement formalises what is typically the longest holiday stretch of the year for Bangladesh’s workforce, covering the nation’s second largest religious festival observed by the Muslim majority.
Office holiday begins after May 24
According to the notification, Sunday, 24 May will be the last working day before the Eid break.
To make up for the extended leave, the government has cancelled the weekly holiday on Saturday, 23 May, directing all offices to remain open that day.
This means government employees will work a six-day week from 18 to 24 May before the holiday commences on 25 May.
Essential services exempted
The general holiday will not apply to essential public services, which are required to operate without interruption through the festive period.
The notification specifically exempts electricity, water, gas and other fuel supply, fire service, port operations, sanitation services, telephone and internet services, postal services, and hospital and emergency medical services.
Banks, courts and private sector to receive separate instructions
The notification noted that Bangladesh Bank will issue its own separate directives governing the continuation of banking activities during the holiday period.
The Supreme Court will similarly make its own decisions regarding court operations.
For the private sector, the Ministry of Labour and Employment will issue separate instructions determining holiday entitlements for private-sector workers, in line with the applicable labour regulations.
The seven-day stretch is notably generous compared to previous years and is expected to spark a significant movement of people out of the capital and other major cities ahead of the festival, which falls this year around 6–7 June based on the lunar calendar.
