The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has issued a comprehensive directive requiring all officials and employees across government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous organisations to remain present in their offices daily from 9:00 am to 9:40 am. The measure is aimed at strengthening administrative discipline, enhancing citizen services, and improving coordination between departments.
According to the circular, the 40-minute mandatory period is intended to ensure that officials are immediately available to handle administrative duties and address citizen concerns at the start of the day. After this period, officials may attend to official or personal tasks outside their desks, but only with prior authorisation from relevant authorities.
This directive reinforces similar regulations issued between 2019 and 2021, reflecting the government’s ongoing focus on punctuality, accountability, and work ethic. Field offices, including those under District Commissioners (DCs) and Upazila Executive Officers (UXOs), are expected to implement the policy rigorously. Violations will trigger disciplinary action under the Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Regulations, 2019, as well as other established conduct rules.
Officials are also reminded to arrive at their workplaces before 9:00 am and remain present until the official closing time, generally 5:00 pm. Attendance is to be recorded via digital registers, which have been made mandatory across government offices to ensure real-time monitoring and accurate reporting.
The Cabinet Division emphasises that this initiative is designed to reduce administrative delays and improve public service delivery. By ensuring that all staff are present during the initial office hours, citizens can expect faster, more reliable responses to their needs. High-traffic offices—such as revenue collection centres, civil administration units, and licensing authorities—are particularly expected to comply with strict enforcement.
Analysts note that such measures, if consistently enforced, can lead to greater inter-departmental coordination, smoother workflow, and reduced delays in service delivery. Coupled with digital attendance tracking, the initiative aims to foster a culture of responsibility, transparency, and punctuality, setting a benchmark for performance across public institutions.
Morning Office Attendance Directive Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Applicable Institutions | Government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous offices |
| Mandatory Presence Time | 9:00 am – 9:40 am daily |
| Post-Presence Permission | Officials may leave for official/personal tasks with prior authorisation |
| Attendance Recording | Digital registers mandatory |
| Full Office Hours | Officials expected before 9:00 am until official closing (typically 5:00 pm) |
| Regulatory Basis | Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Regulations, 2019; disciplinary rules |
| Key Objectives | Enhance citizen service, ensure punctuality, improve inter-departmental coordination |
| Enforcement Focus | Field offices including District and Upazila administration |
By formalising morning attendance and digital tracking, the government aims to create a disciplined, accountable, and citizen-focused public service environment. Officials are expected to remain fully engaged during peak office hours, enabling timely administrative action and strengthening public trust in government institutions.
This directive represents part of a broader effort to modernise Bangladesh’s public administration, balancing structured oversight with improved service delivery, and signalling a renewed commitment to efficiency and accountability in the civil service.