DHAKA, February 23, (V7N) – In a move to enforce administrative discipline, the Ministry of Law and Justice has issued a stern warning against irregularities in office attendance. In an official order released on Monday, the ministry cautioned that late arrivals, unauthorized absences, or leaving the workplace before the designated time without prior approval will now face severe disciplinary action.

Invoking the ‘Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019,’ the Law and Justice Division declared that maintaining punctuality is no longer a suggestion but a mandatory requirement. The directive stipulates that all officials and staff must be present at their desks by 9:00 am on every working day. The order explicitly prohibits leaving the office before the conclusion of official hours, emphasizing that "unauthorized absence and early departure" are now classified as punishable offenses.

Specific timing guidelines have also been set for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. During this period, employees are strictly prohibited from leaving the office before 3:30 pm. Following the conclusion of Ramadan, the departure time will revert to 5:00 pm. To ensure compliance, the ministry has made it mandatory for all personnel to utilize digital attendance systems and record any necessary departures in an official "leaving register."

The ministry further clarified that those needing to leave for urgent personal or official matters must obtain explicit permission from their respective sub-division heads, such as a Joint Secretary or Solicitor. Failure to follow these protocols will trigger legal repercussions under both the 2019 Attendance Rules and the ‘Government Employees (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.’

This crackdown is seen as a broader effort by the current administration to streamline bureaucracy and ensure public servants remain accountable to their schedules. As the government transitions into a new term, the Law Ministry’s "zero-tolerance" stance on attendance serves as a signal for other departments to follow suit in enhancing institutional efficiency.

END/AJ/RH