Anik Kumar Mondal, a researcher at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), argues that reducing daily office hours by one hour is an ineffective response to the country’s deepening energy crisis. Writing on April 18, 2026, he describes the current measure as symbolic rather than practical, noting that office operations consume significant energy from the moment they open, making a one-hour reduction largely meaningless in real savings.

Mondal contends that the decision has increased administrative inefficiency and public inconvenience without easing the energy burden. He proposes that a full-day office closure each week would yield more tangible results, as it would halt energy use across entire facilities for a full day rather than trimming marginal consumption. He emphasizes that crisis management requires bold, measurable actions rather than partial or symbolic gestures.

The article further highlights Bangladesh’s dependence on imported fuel and warns that half-measures only prolong the crisis. Mondal suggests that with modern digital tools and flexible work arrangements, essential services could continue even if routine administrative offices close one extra day per week.