Dbarta24 Report— The Bangladesh government has made a principle decision to declare October 22 an executive holiday on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja.
Pending approval from the upcoming Cabinet meeting and the issuance of an official notification, employees across the country are set to enjoy an extended five-day holiday sequence combining religious observances and the weekend.
According to the official government holiday calendar, Tuesday (October 20) is designated as an executive holiday for Nabami, followed by a general public holiday on Wednesday (October 21) for Bijoya Dashami.
With the addition of Thursday (October 22) as an executive holiday, alongside the regular weekend on Friday (October 23) and Saturday (October 24), non-stop leave from October 20 to October 24 is on the horizon.
Private Sector and National Applicability
Questions arose over whether the newly extended break would solely benefit public servants or encompass private organizations as well. Clarifying the matter, a senior official from the Ministry of Public Administration confirmed that the policy decision requires formal Cabinet approval before a gazette notification can be published.
“This is a national holiday, so it will be applicable to everyone,” the ministry official stated. “It will cover all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices. All such entities will remain closed during this period.”
Excluded Emergency and Essential Services
Despite the broad coverage, essential and emergency services will operate normally throughout the five-day break. Exemptions apply to:
-
Power, water, gas, and energy utilities
-
Fire services, port operations, and municipal sanitation
-
Telecommunications, internet, and postal services
-
Healthcare facilities, hospitals, doctors, medical staff, and emergency medical supply transport
Operational guidelines for the banking sector and judicial proceedings will be issued separately by Bangladesh Bank and the Supreme Court, respectively, upon the publication of the government notification.
Understanding Public Holiday Classifications in Bangladesh
Public administration experts highlight distinct differences among the types of holidays declared in the country:
-
General Holidays: National and universal holidays designated for celebrations or observances across all sectors (e.g., Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Bijoya Dashami, Christmas, Independence Day). The 2026 calendar includes 14 general holidays.
-
Executive Order Holidays: Issued by government order for specific groups or events, such as days surrounding major festivals. While traditionally targeted at public and autonomous bodies, recent notifications explicitly extend coverage to private sector entities. Institutions with independent regulatory frameworks (such as Bangladesh Bank) align their operational schedules in the public interest, with most private organizations following suit.
-
Optional Holidays: Granted up to a maximum of three days per year based on an employee’s religious tradition, subject to prior administrative approval.
With Cabinet approval expected shortly, the official notification from the Ministry of Public Administration will formalize the schedule and provide precise instructions across all sectors.