Dhaka, Mar 04 (V7N) — The Cabinet Division has issued a circular mandating that all government officials and employees must remain present in their respective offices from 9:00am to 9:40am every working day.

The directive was signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani on Monday (March 2). However, the matter came to public attention on Wednesday (March 4) through a report published by the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

Ensuring Public Service and Work Efficiency

According to the circular, the instruction applies to all officials and employees of government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions. The move aims to ensure uninterrupted public service delivery and accelerate official work.

The circular further states that other official programs must be scheduled in a way that does not disrupt this designated time.

The order references the ‘Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019’ and the ‘Secretariat Instructions, 2024’, which require officers and employees of government and autonomous institutions to attend and leave office at the stipulated times.

Exemptions from the Rule

Certain categories of personnel will be exempt from this instruction. These include:

  • Teachers and faculty members working in educational or training institutions who are not assigned administrative duties

  • Officials performing roster duty in hospitals, prisons, media or security-related institutions

  • Members of law enforcement agencies directly involved in emergency public service and field-level operations

Restrictions on Leaving the Workplace

The circular notes that some officials engage in personal or unofficial tasks on their way to the office, such as attending seminars, workshops, symposiums as guest speakers, or visiting banks, hospitals and schools — resulting in delayed attendance.

It clearly states that employees may not leave their workplace without prior permission from the appropriate authority. Exceptions include providing VVIP or VIP protocol, responding to sudden major accidents, attending very important meetings with development partners or diplomatic missions, and undertaking approved official visits.

The directive is expected to tighten attendance discipline within public offices and improve overall administrative efficiency.

END/SMA/AJ