Malls, shops must close by 8pm every night: PMO issues order

KATHMANDU: The government has ordered authorities to ensure that shopping malls, stores and kitchen markets are closed by 8:00 pm every night– to save electricity amid rising energy prices worldwide following the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Prime Minister’s Office in a letter dated June 17, 2022, announced the order on PM Sheikh Hasina’s instructions to several ministries, departments and local authorities, stating that the Bangladesh Labour Act already stipulates the closure of shops at 8:00 pm.

The Prime Minister’s Office has sent a letter to the concerned to ensure proper implementation of this directive.

Talking to The Daily Star, Helal Uddin, president of Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity which represents shops and stores across the country, said the government didn’t discuss with them while taking decisions on such an important issue.

“Although there is a provision under the existing law that people will work from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, we never followed it due to reasonable grounds,” he said.

Helal also said, “As the government has taken this decision to save power following the soaring price of oil across the globe due to the Russia-Ukraine war, we have no alternative but to abide by the decision.”