Govt sets staggered weekends for industries

The government yesterday announced staggered weekends for the industrial belts in Bangladesh in a bid to ensure an uninterrupted power supply for them and save electricity. 

The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments under the Ministry of Labour and Employment issued a notification, fixing the area-wise weekly off.

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The weekly closure has been fixed for industrial establishments across the country for the sake of public interest, said the notification.

On August 7, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said that the government decided to implement the zone-wise weekend of industries to save electricity and continue the production in mills and factories.

The government expects to save 500 megawatts of electricity if industries follow the weekly off schedule.

The move comes after the government suspended importing costlier liquefied natural gas from the international spot market in June and began an area-wise load-shedding from the first week last month.

Yesterday, Md Saiful Islam, president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed the area-wise weekly closure.

"But the weekend is linked to the families of workers. It would be a comprehensive decision if schools and other educational institutes remain shut on the day. Otherwise, workers would be separated from their families."

Shopping malls and markets, however, should remain open on the day, the entrepreneur added.