The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh is holding a meeting this afternoon with secretaries from various ministries and departments to discuss the formulation of a new government pay structure. The meeting, chaired by Zakir Ahmed Khan, head of the 2025 Pay Commission, aims to review salaries, allowances, and benefits across government, semi-government, autonomous, and state-owned institutions. Sources indicate that about half of the draft process for the new pay scale has been completed, following consultations with employee organizations. The secretaries’ meeting will focus on the proposed structure, its potential implementation timeline, and related benefits. Employee leaders have urged the commission to submit its final recommendations by November 30, warning of strong protests if the deadline is missed. A large rally in Dhaka is planned for December 5 to press for the implementation of the new pay scale.

The Directorate of Education and Engineering in Bangladesh has instructed all educational institutions to submit detailed reports on damages caused by the November 21 earthquake, which measured 5.7 on the Richter scale and originated near Narsingdi. A circular signed by Chief Engineer (acting) Md. Tarek Anwar Jahedi on November 23 directed secondary, higher, technical, and madrasa institutions to send scanned and soft copies of damage assessments by November 24. Government primary schools have also been asked to submit similar reports by November 27, including district and upazila names, number of damaged rooms, and estimated losses. The directive follows media reports indicating that several schools and colleges across multiple districts suffered structural damage during the tremor. Authorities aim to compile a comprehensive database to guide necessary repair and safety measures in affected educational facilities.

Bangladesh’s largest mobile operator, Grameenphone, has reportedly dismissed around 3,360 permanent Bangladeshi employees over the past 13 years, reducing the local workforce to about 1,640. Former employees allege that the company has systematically replaced Bangladeshi workers with Indian nationals and outsourced key operations to Indian-owned firms Genex and Withpro. Several top management positions, including CTO, CIO, and CPO, are currently held by Indian citizens, raising concerns about data security, service quality, and financial irregularities. Dismissed workers claim they were labeled as politically affiliated, unfit, or union members and that their dues remain unpaid despite legal battles and protests. Grameenphone denies the allegations, asserting that all dismissals followed legal procedures and that all dues were settled. The company maintains that its recruitment follows global standards and that ongoing disputes are under judicial review. Labor activists continue to demand payment of outstanding benefits and accuse the firm of violating labor laws and court orders.

According to Swiss-based air quality monitoring organization IQAir, India dominates the list of the world’s most polluted cities, with Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai among the top five. Delhi tops the list with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 450, indicating hazardous air conditions. Kolkata follows with a score of 248, while Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, ranks third with a score of 232, categorized as very unhealthy. Pakistan’s Karachi is fourth with 209, and Mumbai is fifth with 198. IQAir’s scale classifies air quality between 0–50 as good, 51–100 as moderate, 101–150 as unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 as unhealthy, 201–300 as very unhealthy, and above 301 as hazardous. The data, collected on Sunday morning, highlights the severe air pollution crisis affecting major South Asian cities, posing serious health risks to millions of residents.

Nasim Rana Masud, CEO of Rajshahi-based IT firm Techflix and a former psychology student at the University of Rajshahi, has been honored with the 'Nepal International Excellence Award 2025' for his outstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s IT sector. The award was presented in Kathmandu at an event jointly organized by the South Asian Social Cultural Forum and the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Council. The ceremony, themed 'Our Role in the Development of Asia’s Trade and Tourism Industry,' recognized professionals from across South Asia for their socio-economic and professional excellence. Distinguished guests included leaders from Nepal’s academia, tourism, and business sectors. Expressing his gratitude, Nasim said the award symbolizes not only recognition but also a greater sense of responsibility toward his country’s development. The event emphasized regional cooperation, development strategies, and future planning for South Asia’s growth.

Badiul Kabir, president of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council, stated that the Pay Commission could submit its recommendations for a new pay scale by November 30. Speaking on November 23, he emphasized that government employees are eagerly awaiting the new pay structure and warned that failure to meet the deadline could trigger widespread protests. Kabir noted that employees are united and ready to launch programs if their demands are not met. The council has given the commission until the end of November to finalize at least a summary of its report. Meanwhile, sources indicate that the Pay Commission has completed about 50 percent of its work and plans to gather opinions from secretaries next week before finalizing the report. The final recommendations are expected by the end of December. A major rally is scheduled for December 5 if the deadline is missed.

Heavy monsoon rains have triggered severe flooding across several Malaysian states, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. As of Monday morning, around 10,469 people have been relocated to temporary relief centers, up from about 9,000 the previous night. Kelantan is the worst-affected state, with districts such as Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Pasir Puteh, and Bachok inundated, displacing over 8,000 people. Authorities have opened 33 relief centers in the state to accommodate evacuees. In Perak, 946 residents have taken shelter across several districts, while northern regions like Kedah, Perlis, and Penang have also reported evacuations. Smaller numbers of displaced people have been reported in Terengganu and Selangor. The floods, caused by the northeast monsoon, have disrupted daily life and raised concerns about further rainfall in the coming days as emergency services continue rescue and relief operations.

Bangladesh’s banking sector is experiencing a sharp rise in excess liquidity, reaching Tk 3.06 trillion by the end of August 2024, up from Tk 1.74 trillion a year earlier, according to Bangladesh Bank data. The surge follows the removal of the lending rate cap after the fall of the previous government, which led to higher deposit rates and increased inflows into stronger banks. However, political instability, high interest rates, and cautious lending have slowed private sector credit growth to 6.29% in September. State-owned banks hold Tk 1.43 trillion in excess liquidity, while private and foreign banks hold Tk 1.73 trillion and Tk 0.32 trillion respectively. Sonali Bank tops the list with Tk 623.22 billion in surplus funds. Meanwhile, several weaker banks, including National Bank and AB Bank, are facing liquidity shortfalls. Bank executives attribute the uneven liquidity situation to depositor confidence shifting toward stable institutions and reduced credit demand from both government and private sectors.

Bangladesh has recorded a strong rise in remittance inflows in November, with expatriates sending $2.135 billion during the first 22 days of the month, according to preliminary data from Bangladesh Bank. This marks a 24.5% increase compared to the same period last year, when remittances totaled $1.715 billion. At an exchange rate of 122 taka per dollar, the remittance amount equals approximately 260.47 billion taka. In just three days, from November 20 to 22, expatriates remitted $127 million. If the current pace continues, total remittances for November could reach around $3 billion. From July 1 to November 22 of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh received $12.284 billion in remittances, up from $10.653 billion during the same period last year. The central bank attributes the growth to improved transfer channels and incentives for sending money through formal banking systems.

Following a 5.7-magnitude earthquake that shook Dhaka, several of Dhaka University’s aging dormitories developed cracks and falling plaster, injuring around 30 students and sparking panic. The university administration has closed the campus for 15 days and ordered all residential students to vacate by November 23. Students, however, criticized the sudden move, arguing that the crisis stems from years of neglect rather than a new emergency. Dormitories including Ziaur Rahman Hall, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, and Shamsunnahar Hall were found to be in critical condition, with some structures reportedly leaning. BUET experts will inspect all old buildings and assess structural risks. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan announced a Tk 149 crore renovation project starting in December and a larger Tk 2,841 crore development plan to build new dormitories by 2026. Student protests briefly erupted demanding safer accommodation and suspension of the closure order.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has instructed its member factories to conduct immediate structural inspections of their buildings following a powerful earthquake that struck the country on November 21. The association warned of possible aftershocks and urged factory owners to strengthen safety measures to protect workers and assets. In a circular, BGMEA emphasized that large earthquakes can be followed by additional tremors posing serious risks to life and property. It recommended that qualified engineers examine factory structures, lifts, boiler rooms, generator rooms, and substations for any damage. The organization noted that Bangladesh’s garment sector employs a vast workforce, making structural integrity crucial for worker safety. BGMEA also highlighted that factory equipment such as lifts and generators produce regular vibrations, which could worsen existing structural weaknesses. The association called on all members to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to avoid potential accidents and casualties.

Several garment factories in Rupganj, Narayanganj, have announced temporary closures following structural cracks caused by recent earthquakes. A-One Polar Garments declared a three-day holiday after cracks appeared in its walls, prompting panic among workers. Authorities stated that operations would resume on November 27 if engineers confirm the buildings are safe. Meanwhile, at Robintex Garments, cracks were found in three buildings, leading to worker unrest and protests along the Dhaka–Sylhet highway. During Saturday’s second tremor, over a hundred workers were injured in a stampede as they rushed to evacuate. Company officials said the cracks were limited to plaster layers and did not affect structural integrity, but worker attendance remains low due to ongoing fears. Additional police have been deployed to maintain order and ensure safety while engineers continue inspections.

Northern Bangladesh is experiencing an early onset of winter as temperatures in Tetulia, Panchagarh, dropped to 12.6°C on Sunday, marking the lowest in the country this season. The region has seen chilly winds and dense fog from dawn to mid-morning, disrupting daily life and increasing hardship for laborers. According to the Tetulia Meteorological Office, temperatures have been steadily declining and a cold wave is expected to hit by late November, with multiple waves likely in early December, potentially bringing temperatures down to around 10°C. The cold weather has also led to a rise in cold-related illnesses among children and the elderly. Doctors at Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital report that 250–300 patients are seeking treatment daily for cold-related ailments as the region braces for an intensifying winter.

More than 2,100 people have been displaced after sudden floods struck three Malaysian states—Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu—due to ongoing monsoon rains. Kedah has recently been added to the list of affected regions, with 225 residents from 66 families taking shelter in three relief centers in Kulim district. In Kelantan, the situation has worsened, with the number of evacuees rising from 1,170 on Saturday night to 1,623 by Sunday morning. Twelve relief centers are currently operating across Kota Bharu, Tumpat, and Bachok districts, where continuous heavy rainfall has been reported since Friday. In Terengganu, conditions have slightly improved, with 264 people still sheltered at Kampung Pulau Redang Mosque relief center. Malaysia’s Meteorological Department has issued thunderstorm and heavy rain warnings for seven states, including Perak, Pahang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka, and Sabah, urging residents in vulnerable districts to remain cautious.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Monitoring Centre has issued an early warning of a possible major earthquake following a series of mild tremors that shook Dhaka and surrounding areas within eight hours on Saturday, November 22. The warning came after a 5.7-magnitude quake struck Bangladesh on Friday, leaving experts concerned about the frequency of seismic activity. According to Dr. Mehedi Ahmed Ansari of BUET, Bangladesh has long been at high risk of earthquakes and is divided into three seismic zones, with Zone-1 being the most vulnerable. The Earthquake Monitoring Centre’s acting officer, Rubaiyat Kabir, urged preparedness and vigilance. Global data from Earthquaketracker.com reported 91 quakes worldwide in the past 24 hours and 852 over the last week, underscoring heightened global seismic activity. The local tremors measured between 3.3 and 4.3 magnitudes, with epicenters near Narsingdi’s Palash area, about 29 kilometers northeast of Dhaka.