Four days or two sundays: Bangladesh’s work week dilemma

Office buildings operate at full capacity, drawing heavily on electricity for lighting, cooling, and equipment. Photo: Rajib Dhar

In the early 1970s, I spent nearly four years in a country grappling with a severe economic crisis. Foreign currency reserves were scarce, and the state struggled to finance its essential sectors. In response, a simple yet effective policy was introduced: the second and fourth Saturdays of every month were declared public holidays. Since Sundays were already weekly off days and Saturdays were half working days, this measure effectively created periodic two-day weekends.

The impact was immediate and tangible. Fuel consumption declined, saving precious foreign exchange. Traffic congestion eased. Urban pollution levels dropped modestly. Perhaps most importantly, people experienced a rare luxury—time. Families could spend two consecutive days together, and employees were spared the relentless rhythm of daily commuting, at least twice a month.

A new crisis, a familiar challenge

Decades later, Bangladesh finds itself facing a different but equally pressing challenge: an energy crisis shaped by global geopolitical instability. The recent war imposed upon Iran by Israel and the USA and its wider implications for the Gulf region have exposed the vulnerability of countries like Bangladesh that are heavily dependent on imported fuel.

With petroleum products and LPG supplies sourced largely from Gulf nations, any disruption reverberates quickly through the economy. Earlier this year, Bangladesh implemented gasoline rationing to address supply constraints, although it later relaxed restrictions during major holidays. The underlying issue, however, remains unresolved.

The question now is not whether Bangladesh should conserve energy but how.

The hidden cost of a five-day work week

The conventional five-day work week comes with hidden costs that are often overlooked. Every working day triggers millions of commutes, consuming vast quantities of petrol, diesel, and CNG. Office buildings operate at full capacity, drawing heavily on electricity for lighting, cooling, and equipment.

In cities like Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Khulna, the situation translates into chronic traffic congestion, deteriorating air quality, and increased stress for commuters. The economic cost of lost time and productivity adds another layer to the problem.

Reducing the number of working days could address several of these challenges simultaneously.

Could a four-day workweek work?

Around the world, countries facing energy and productivity challenges have experimented with shorter work weeks. A four-day work week—typically with three consecutive days off—has shown promising results in some contexts.

For Bangladesh, such a model offers multiple potential benefits. Offices would remain closed for an additional day each week, significantly reducing electricity consumption. Fewer commuting days would cut fuel use and emissions. Workers could enjoy improved work-life balance, potentially leading to higher morale and productivity.

The conventional five-day work week comes with hidden costs that are often overlooked. Every working day triggers millions of commutes, consuming vast quantities of petrol, diesel, and CNG. Office buildings operate at full capacity, drawing heavily on electricity for lighting, cooling, and equipment.

There is also a strategic advantage. Since Bangladesh already observes Friday and Saturday as weekly holidays, shifting to a Monday–Thursday work schedule could improve alignment with international markets, where Sunday is generally a non-working day.

However, the transition is not without challenges. Key sectors such as banking, healthcare, education, and public services require continuity. The informal sector, which employs a large portion of the population, may not adapt easily to reduced working days. Longer daily working hours may also be necessary, raising concerns about feasibility and equity.

A Simpler step: Two sundays a month

If a full transition to a four-day work week seems too ambitious, a more gradual approach could be adopted: declaring the second and fourth Sundays of each month as additional holidays.

In a typical year, there are 52 Sundays. This means that introducing holidays on two Sundays per month would add approximately 24 extra off days annually. While this is less than the 52 additional days offered by a four-day work week, it still represents a meaningful reduction in working time.

This approach is easier to implement and causes minimal disruption to existing systems. It allows both public and private sectors to adapt gradually while delivering tangible benefits.

Counting the savings

The potential energy savings from reducing working days are significant.

Office and institutional activities account for roughly 15 per cent of national electricity consumption in Bangladesh. Reducing operations by about 6.6 per cent of the year—through bi-monthly Sunday holidays—could save approximately 1 terawatt-hour (TWh) of electricity annually. This amount of energy could power around one million urban households for a year.

A four-day work week would roughly double these savings, potentially reducing electricity consumption by over 2 TWh annually. Fuel savings would also increase, with commuting-related fuel use dropping by up to 2 percent.

It is important to note that actual savings may be somewhat lower, as offices continue to consume baseline electricity and not all sectors would be affected equally. Even so, the reductions would be substantial.

Why change is not so simple

Despite the clear benefits, implementing such changes is not straightforward. Bangladesh's economic structure presents unique challenges.

A large informal workforce depends on daily income, making reduced working days potentially disruptive. Many service sectors require continuous operation, limiting the scope for uniform policy changes. Institutional inertia and logistical complexities further complicate the transition.

These realities explain why Bangladesh has not yet embraced shorter work weeks, despite the apparent advantages.

A phased roadmap for reform

Rather than choosing between two extremes, Bangladesh can adopt a phased approach.

The first step could be the introduction of second and fourth Sunday holidays. This would provide immediate relief in terms of energy consumption and commuting pressure while offering valuable insights into the policy's impact.

The second step could involve pilot projects for a four-day work week in selected sectors, such as government offices, universities, and the information technology industry. These pilots would help assess feasibility, productivity, and social acceptance.

Based on the results, the policy could be refined and gradually expanded.

Beyond energy: A better way of living

The benefits of reducing working days extend beyond energy savings. Fewer working days could ease urban congestion, improve air quality, and enhance overall quality of life.

Extended weekends may encourage people to spend more time with their families or travel to their hometowns, reducing pressure on major cities. This could lead to a more balanced distribution of population and economic activity.

In a rapidly urbanising country, such changes could have lasting positive effects.

The road ahead

Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture. The energy challenges it faces today demand innovative solutions and bold thinking.

A four-day work week may represent the future, but it requires careful planning and gradual implementation. In the meantime, adopting bi-monthly Sunday holidays offers a practical and effective way to begin the transition.

The lesson from the past is clear: even small adjustments to the work calendar can yield significant benefits. The question is not whether Bangladesh can afford to rethink its workweek—but whether it can afford not to. 

Dr Reza Khan is a wildlife, zoo and safari park specialist