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All government offices, educational institutions, and banks have remained open on Saturday due to an extended 10-day government holiday for this year’s Eid-ul-Azha.
Similarly, although May 24 falls on a weekend, offices will also remain open that day, reports bdnews24.com.
Speaking to bdnews24.com on Saturday, Muhammad Kawsar Mahmud, assistant director (public relations) at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), said: “Like other government offices, CAAB is open today. I’ve come to the office this morning accordingly.”
Ibrahim Hossain, an official at BRAC Bank’s head office, also came into work. “Since there’s a long holiday for Eid this time, government offices and banks are open on the two Saturdays before Eid. That’s why I had to come in.”
Eid-ul-Azha in Bangladesh is expected to be observed on Jun 7, depending on the sighting of the moon. Previously, the government had declared a 6-day holiday from Jun 5 to 10.
The Advisory Council extended the holiday by including Jun 11 and 12 through an executive order, followed by the regular weekend on Jun 13 and 14. As a result, government employees will enjoy a 10-day uninterrupted break from Jun 5 to 14.
To allow for the extended holiday, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification adjusting the calendar by adding two holidays in June for Eid, and compensating with two extra working days in May (May 17 and May 24 -- both Saturdays).
The notice added that only emergency government services were expected to remain operational on these added working days.
To facilitate the 10-day break for government employees, the Advisory Council adjusted the holiday schedule under the ‘Allocation of Business’ rules.
Essential services, including electricity, water, gas, other energy supplies, Fire Service, port operations, sanitation, telecommunication, internet, postal services, and associated vehicles and personnel, will not fall under the Eid holiday period.
Hospitals and emergency healthcare services, including doctors, medical staff, and those transporting medicines and medical equipment, will also remain out of the holiday coverage.
The Ministry of Education has also directed all educational institutions to remain open on May 17 and May 24 in line with the changes.