Dhaka: The cabinet division has issued a new directive enforcing mandatory office attendance from 9:00 am to 9:40 am for all government officials and employees, aiming to enhance service delivery to the public.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the circular addresses issues where officers and employees are frequently absent during the designated times due to engagements in seminars, workshops, and visits to banks, hospitals, and schools. These absences have reportedly disrupted necessary communications among officers, employees, the public, and other departments, negatively impacting citizen services, administrative efficiency, and the government's image.
To counter these challenges, the directive mandates that all personnel in government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous institutions maintain presence in their offices during the specified time window. This measure is intended to facilitate citizen services, boost administrative mobility, and enhance inter-departmental coordination. Authorities have been instructed to ensure strict adherence to this schedule during the preparation of official programs.
The circular also referenced the Government Servants (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019, and Secretariat Instructions, 2024, underscoring the necessity for these entities to adhere to stipulated attendance and departure times. Exceptions are made for educators not involved in administrative duties, employees on roster duty in essential services like hospitals, prisons, news, or security-related institutions, and those directly involved in emergency services and field-level law enforcement duties.
Furthermore, the circular stipulates that employees must obtain written permission from authorities to leave their workplaces for VVIP/VIP protocols, major accident responses, crucial meetings with development partners or diplomatic missions, and sanctioned official visits. Employees are also required to inform authorities if leaving offices during work hours for official tasks. This directive is effective immediately, marking a significant shift in government office operations.