The Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Coordinated Council has warned of large-scale protests if the National Pay Commission fails to submit its recommendations for a new pay scale by November 30. Council President Badiul Kabir stated that employees are united and ready to launch greater movements if their demands are not met. The Pay Commission, chaired by Zakir Ahmed Khan, held a meeting on Monday with secretaries from various ministries to review pay structures for government, semi-government, autonomous, and state-owned institutions. The commission aims to finalize recommendations for salary, allowances, and benefits based on these reviews. Although the commission is expected to submit its final report by late December, Kabir insisted that at least a summary should be submitted within the set deadline. If the recommendations are delayed, a mass rally on December 5 will announce further protest programs.

Gold prices declined for the third consecutive session on Monday, November 24, as a stronger U.S. dollar and uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve interest rate decisions weighed on the market. According to Reuters, spot gold fell 0.4% to $4,045.58 per ounce, while December futures dropped 0.9% to $4,042.50. Analysts noted that the dollar’s value is at a six-month high, making gold more expensive for buyers using other currencies. The CME FedWatch tool showed the probability of a rate cut next month fell to 69% from 74%. Despite earlier optimism following comments from New York Fed President John Williams, other Fed officials maintained a cautious stance, suggesting rates should remain steady to avoid economic risks. Reliance Securities’ analyst Jigar Trivedi predicted no major changes in gold prices over the next three to five weeks, though slight declines are possible. Meanwhile, silver prices slipped 0.1%, while platinum and palladium gained 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively.

Bangladesh’s Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that holding the national election and referendum simultaneously will increase government expenditure. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase at the Secretariat on Monday, he explained that the additional costs would arise from arrangements for both the referendum and voting facilities for expatriates. However, he assured that the overall budget would not face any major issues due to these adjustments. Dr. Ahmed also noted that conducting both events on the same day is preferable, as practiced in several other countries, since holding them separately would be more difficult and costly. Additionally, he mentioned that the Ministry of Energy has been approved to import refined fuel and that non-basmati rice imports will be increased to stabilize rising rice prices. He urged local businesses to act responsibly, emphasizing that price control requires political commitment beyond administrative measures.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has nearly doubled the price of gas used in fertilizer factories, raising it from Tk 16 to Tk 29.25 per cubic meter. The new rate will take effect on December 1. The decision follows a public hearing held on October 6, where Petrobangla and gas distribution companies had proposed increasing the price to Tk 40 per unit. BERC’s technical committee later recommended the revised rate. BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed stated that the commission sought to maintain a balance between production costs, agricultural needs, and LNG import expenses. The price hike is expected to impact fertilizer production costs, potentially affecting the agriculture sector, which remains vital for food security and employment despite its declining share in GDP.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for individual taxpayers to file their income tax returns for the 2025–26 fiscal year by one month, setting the new deadline at December 31. The announcement was made through a special order issued on Sunday, November 23. The extension applies to all individual taxpayers except companies. The NBR also stated that taxpayers facing difficulties submitting returns online due to registration issues may apply to their respective deputy commissioners by December 15 with valid justification. This year, online filing has been made mandatory for all individual taxpayers except senior citizens aged 65 or above, physically challenged or special-needs taxpayers, Bangladeshis residing abroad, legal representatives of deceased taxpayers, and foreign nationals working in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission Secretariat has announced a large-scale recruitment drive to fill 1,152 vacancies in six different positions across district judges’ offices and related courts or tribunals. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply online through the official BJSC website from November 25, 2025, at 10 a.m. until December 9, 2025, at 5 p.m. The positions are permanent, and applicants must be between 18 and 32 years old as of November 1, 2025, with departmental candidates eligible for an age relaxation up to 40 years. No affidavits will be accepted as proof of age. Application fees are set at 112 taka for positions 1–4 and 56 taka for positions 5–6, payable via Teletalk SIM within 72 hours of submission. Applicants must upload a 300x300 pixel photo and a 300x80 pixel signature scan during the online application process.

Bangladesh Bank has announced the closure of all direct customer services, including the sale of savings certificates, prize bonds, and the exchange of damaged notes, across all its offices from Sunday, November 23. The central bank stated that the decision was made considering security concerns, as it is a Key Point Installation (KPI) institution. Previously, such services were available at its Motijheel head office and regional branches in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Bogura, Rajshahi, and Sylhet. Initially, the closure was scheduled to begin on November 30 at the Motijheel office, followed by other branches, but the timeline was advanced for simultaneous implementation. Bangladesh Bank emphasized that central banks worldwide do not provide direct counter services to the public. To ensure uninterrupted service delivery, the regulator will enhance monitoring of commercial banks, which will continue to handle these customer-related transactions.

The ownership of the influential British right-leaning newspaper The Telegraph is set to change hands, as Daily Mail owner General Trust PLC (DMGT) has agreed to purchase it for £500 million (approximately $650 million). The deal follows the withdrawal of U.S.-based private investment firm RedBird Capital Partners, which had previously been in talks to acquire the publication. According to the Financial Times, the valuation was determined to cover the repayment of funds spent by the RedBird-led consortium. The parties involved have now entered exclusive negotiations to finalize transaction terms and prepare necessary documentation. The agreement is expected to be submitted soon to the UK Foreign Secretary for approval. Neither The Telegraph nor RedBird IMI has commented further on the matter, though both sides confirmed that discussions were expedited to reach the announced deal.

Leaders of various government employee organizations in Bangladesh have announced a mass rally in Dhaka during the first week of December to press for a new pay scale. The decision was finalized on November 22 during a meeting led by the Government Employees Demand Implementation Unity Council. Leaders expressed frustration over delays in the long-awaited pay structure reform, warning of tougher movements if the Pay Commission fails to submit its recommendations by November 30. The commission, however, stated that its draft report is about 50 percent complete, with further progress expected after receiving feedback from secretaries this week. The 23-member National Pay Commission 2025, headed by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, was formed in July and has been tasked with submitting its final report within six months of its first meeting.