Government Offices Announce New Ramadan Working Hours

In anticipation of the holy month of Ramadan, all government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous offices will operate under revised working hours this year. The announcement was made on Thursday, 5 February, during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka by Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

According to the Press Secretary, offices will now open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 3:30 p.m., accommodating the needs of employees observing fasting during the month. Within this schedule, there will be a 15-minute break for the Zuhr prayer from 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., allowing staff to perform their religious duties without disruption to official work.

However, certain institutions, including banks, insurance companies, the Supreme Court, and other autonomous bodies, are permitted to set their own working hours based on internal convenience and operational requirements.

The government emphasised that these changes are intended to ensure both productivity and employee comfort during Ramadan, when fasting can affect energy levels throughout the day. Employees are encouraged to plan meetings and official activities in accordance with the new schedule.

The start date of Ramadan this year is subject to the sighting of the moon, with fasting expected to commence on 20 February. Authorities have also reminded the public and office staff to observe health guidelines while managing work during the fasting period.

For quick reference, the revised office hours are summarised in the table below:

This adjustment reflects the government’s commitment to accommodating the spiritual practices of its workforce while maintaining the efficiency of public services. Employees are advised to remain aware of any updates or changes issued in accordance with moon sightings and official notifications.