Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi expatriates in the United Arab Emirates are facing severe hardship as regional conflict and economic stagnation disrupt their livelihoods. The report describes widespread fear of drone and missile attacks, coupled with a sharp decline in income as schools and tourism sectors have stalled. Taxi drivers have seen earnings fall by about 70 percent, while many cleaners and construction workers have lost their jobs. Rising food and housing costs have pushed many into crisis, and several expatriates have been detained for unknowingly sharing war-related videos online.

Information technology specialist Mohammad Minhaj Uddin and Dubai-based worker Mohammad Zahed Ullah told the newspaper that many Bangladeshis are living in uncertainty and fear, with some killed or injured in recent attacks. They said diplomatic support from Bangladesh remains limited, while supply chain disruptions through the Hormuz Strait have driven up prices of essentials and fuel. Companies are cutting costs and delaying salaries, forcing many workers to consider returning home.

According to official data, the UAE hosts 1–1.2 million Bangladeshi workers, contributing 15–18 percent of Bangladesh’s total remittance. Prolonged instability could significantly affect the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that the Dhaka-Chattogram highway will be expanded to 10 lanes, with a feasibility study currently in progress. He made the statement on Sunday, April 5, in response to a question from Comilla-6 Member of Parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury during a session of the National Parliament presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister said that steps will be taken to improve the highway and ease traffic congestion in the Paduabazar area. A design has already been prepared to expand the existing overpass, and the government expects to complete the work quickly. The feasibility study also includes plans for three new underpasses, along with two additional underpasses under the current intersection design, bringing the total to five underpasses in the region.

Sheikh Robiul Alam added that the government is coordinating efforts to revise and continue the previous administration’s project where possible. Officials from the Roads and Highways Department have already inspected the site, and visible progress is expected soon.

The Bangladesh government plans to raise an additional Tk 5,000 crore through a special auction of 91-day treasury bills on April 8, according to the central bank. The move follows increased fiscal needs, prompting the government to seek extra funds beyond its regular bank borrowing. Officials said a similar auction was held on April 1, when the government borrowed the same amount.

Sector insiders attributed the rising borrowing demand to several factors, including election-related expenses of the interim government, higher energy import costs due to the Middle East conflict, and slow revenue collection. The National Board of Revenue collected 28 percent less than its target in the first eight months of the fiscal year. New government programs such as card initiatives and agricultural loan waivers have further increased funding requirements.

Economists warned that heavy reliance on central bank borrowing could pose risks. With private sector credit growth slowing to 6.03 percent in January, banks have shown greater interest in lending to the government, raising concerns about inflation and financial pressure.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid has assured that there will be no fuel shortage for harvesters during the rice harvesting season in the Haor region. He made the statement on Sunday at a review meeting held at the Ministry of Agriculture in Dhaka, focusing on the cultivation, production, and harvesting of Boro rice in the Haor areas. The minister instructed officials to work closely to prevent any crop damage and to ensure smooth harvesting operations.

Describing the Haor region as a vital rice-producing area of the country, the minister emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among local administrations and representatives to protect the harvest. He directed that sufficient combined harvesters be made available on time and that any non-functional machines be repaired quickly. If necessary, harvesters should be rented from nearby areas to complete harvesting on schedule.

The minister also urged officials to monitor weather conditions closely and prepare for any adverse situations. He instructed that arrangements be made for manual harvesting by agricultural workers alongside the use of machines.

Bangladesh’s overall inflation rate declined slightly in March 2026, falling to 8.71 percent on a point-to-point basis from 9.13 percent in February, according to updated data released Sunday by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The report also showed that inflation was lower than the 9.35 percent recorded in March 2025, indicating a modest downward trend.

The BBS attributed the improvement mainly to easing food price pressures. Food inflation dropped to 8.24 percent in March from 9.30 percent in February, while non-food inflation edged up marginally to 9.09 percent from 9.01 percent. Analysts noted that prices of daily essentials have become relatively stable, offering some relief to consumers, though costs in housing, transport, fuel, and services remain elevated.

Economists said the overall decline in inflation is a positive signal for the economy, but living expenses for low-income groups remain high. They cautioned that it may take more time before ordinary households experience tangible relief from the cost-of-living burden.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, told parliament that the ongoing war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has disrupted the process of sending Bangladeshi workers to several Middle Eastern labor markets, including the United Arab Emirates. He made the statement on Sunday in response to a question from BNP lawmaker Shafiqul Rahman during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister explained that the government alone cannot manage the overseas employment process and therefore issues licenses to private recruiting agencies to involve them in manpower export. He highlighted government initiatives to expand labor markets in Dubai and other Asian countries. Chowdhury also reported that in 2025, a total of 1,132,519 Bangladeshis secured overseas employment, including 62,352 women workers. He added that over 15 million Bangladeshis are currently working in 176 countries worldwide.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the rights and welfare of expatriate workers and noted that previous administrations had neglected these issues. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and competition in labor recruitment, particularly regarding Malaysia.

State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Rajib Ahsan announced that all vessels in Bangladesh will soon be brought under a digital registration system to make the country’s waterways safer, more organized, and modern. He said a comprehensive policy will also be formulated to ensure proper registration, operation, and discipline in water transport. The announcement came on Sunday during a meeting at the Department of Shipping headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, focused on resolving fuel shortages for lighter vessels engaged in cargo transport.

The state minister stated that there is currently no fuel crisis affecting passenger or cargo vessels and that water transport operations are running normally. To prevent potential future shortages, the ministry plans to form a coordination cell to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply and hold meetings with fuel-supplying companies. He emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining safe and smooth navigation and urged vessel operators to comply with laws and avoid hoarding or wastage amid the global fuel situation.

The initiatives aim to strengthen discipline and efficiency in the country’s maritime transport system through digitalization and better coordination.

The government of Bangladesh is implementing a large-scale food assistance program to ensure food security for ultra-poor families. Under the Food-Friendly Program, 5.5 million families across 495 upazilas are receiving 30 kilograms of rice per month at Tk 15 per kilogram. Food Minister Md. Abdul Bari shared the information in parliament on April 5, 2026, during the 13th session. The 2025–26 fiscal year budget allocates 1 million tons of rice for this program, distributed over six months annually.

The minister said that fortified rice enriched with vitamins A, B-1, B-12, B-9, iron, and zinc is being distributed to improve nutrition. A total of 370,000 tons of fortified rice is being supplied across 248 upazilas for five months. To stabilize market prices, the Open Market Sale (OMS) program operates through 1,091 centers in 12 city corporations, 14 industrial districts, and 52 district towns, selling rice at Tk 30 per kg and flour at Tk 24 per kg.

The Food Directorate is also supplying rice to 6.77 million Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) family cardholders. The minister affirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining food security and price stability for low-income citizens.

Bangladesh is bracing for up to three hours of daily load-shedding as fuel shortages, worsened by the ongoing war in the Middle East, disrupt electricity generation. Despite having double the production capacity needed to meet demand, the country cannot produce enough power due to limited fuel supply. The government has ordered shopping malls and shops to close after 6 p.m. and shortened office hours by one hour to manage the crisis.

An internal analysis by the Power Development Board (PDB) indicates that if gas supply falls below 800 million cubic feet, power generation could drop below 4,500 megawatts. During April and May, electricity demand may reach 18,500 megawatts, while production could remain around 16,200 megawatts. On a recent public holiday, demand peaked at 14,350 megawatts, with load-shedding reaching up to 1,000 megawatts at night.

The situation may worsen if rainfall remains low and temperatures rise. The Meteorological Department forecasts multiple heatwaves in April, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius, potentially increasing electricity demand further.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has emphasized that strengthening debt management and expanding the tax base are the most urgent needs in Bangladesh’s current economic reality. Speaking on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at the closing session of the National Multistakeholder Consultation on Bangladesh Graduation Readiness Assessment at the Planning Commission’s NEC conference room, he said the government is determined to meet public expectations and take effective measures to overcome ongoing challenges.

The minister acknowledged that Bangladesh is facing a difficult economic situation requiring well-planned initiatives to maintain order and stability. He noted that some large projects in the past were undertaken without adequate planning, increasing debt pressure and raising questions about costs and implementation. He urged careful management of existing loans and more prudent selection of future projects to ensure sustainable development.

On taxation, Muktadir said the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains unsatisfactory and should be improved by expanding the tax net rather than raising rates. He added that enhancing domestic resource mobilization would strengthen debt repayment capacity and support sustainable development efforts.

State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit announced that shops and shopping malls in Bangladesh may now remain open until 7 pm instead of 6 pm, considering the current electricity and energy situation. He made the statement on Sunday afternoon. Business representatives had earlier requested permission to keep shops open until 8 pm.

The decision follows recent government measures to address an energy crisis triggered by ongoing tensions and conflict in the Middle East. To conserve power, the government revised working hours for public and private offices, which will now operate from 9 am to 4 pm until further notice. Banking hours have been set from 10 am to 3 pm, and shops were previously required to close by 6 pm.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Saturday, April 4, implementing the new office schedule after cabinet approval on April 2. The updated shop closing time reflects a partial relaxation of earlier restrictions.

Bangladesh is not yet prepared to graduate from the list of least developed countries due to current economic realities, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters after a multilateral consultation at the NEC Conference Center in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, he cited internal and external economic pressures that have complicated the situation and made the graduation process uncertain. The meeting presented the results of a UN-OHRLLS-led ‘Graduation Readiness Assessment’ conducted at the request of the Bangladesh government.

The minister identified rising foreign debt, domestic liabilities, high interest rates, and weaknesses in financial management as key risks to the economy. He added that subsidies in the energy sector, global price increases, and import dependency have further intensified challenges. The government faces continuous fiscal pressure, making the situation more complex.

Amir Khasru noted that there is an opportunity to extend the graduation timeline. During this period, the government plans to strengthen economic indicators, enhance skills, and implement policy reforms to improve readiness. He emphasized that capacity building and sound policy implementation are essential to overcome current challenges.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Sunday, April 5, that all supply chains have been severely disrupted due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, leading to an inevitable rise in product prices. Speaking to reporters in Agargaon, Dhaka, he noted that global transportation systems have been badly affected, while the fuel crisis has worsened the situation.

The minister explained that the impact of the conflict extends beyond energy, affecting all types of goods, food items, and the entire supply system. He warned that price increases in the coming days are certain. Chowdhury added that the government is trying to minimize pressure on citizens as an elected administration but acknowledged that sustaining this effort may become difficult if public funds continue to be strained.

He cautioned that if the government’s financial resources remain under pressure, the ultimate burden will fall on the people, signaling potential economic challenges ahead for Bangladesh.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office to seek high-level guidance on implementing the proposed new pay scale for government officials and employees. Senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and relevant ministries, including Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, are expected to attend the meeting.

An interim government had earlier formed a 23-member National Pay Commission led by former Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, which recommended a 100 to 140 percent salary increase for government employees. The proposal suggests raising the minimum salary from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000, requiring an additional Tk 106,000 crore for implementation. A nine-member review committee was also formed on February 8 to examine the recommendations but has yet to begin work due to political changes following the February 12 national election.

The government initially planned partial implementation in the 2025–26 fiscal year, but global economic instability and rising expenses have delayed the process, possibly pushing implementation to 2026–27 in phases.

Garment workers from Nasa Group staged a protest on Tejgaon Link Road in Dhaka on Sunday, demanding their due wages. The demonstration began after 10 a.m. when around 700 to 800 workers blocked the road between Mohakhali and Nabisco. The blockade caused a complete halt in traffic movement on routes connecting Tejgaon, Mohakhali, and Uttara. The protesters cleared the road around 11 a.m., according to the Gulshan Zone traffic police.

During the blockade, traffic police urged commuters to follow diversions to avoid congestion. They advised using the Elevated Expressway for travel between Uttara and Mohakhali and the Mohakhali Flyover for movement from Uttara, Gulshan, or Banani toward Tejgaon. The disruption lasted for about an hour before normal traffic resumed.

The incident highlighted ongoing tensions over wage payments in Dhaka’s garment sector, though no further details about negotiations or management response were provided in the report.