AFTER the interim government had stepped in, Bangladesh entered a transitional phase that many viewed with scepticism. But as Ramadan and Eid unfolded, something unexpected happened. Things felt smooth. While no miracle occurred overnight, visible improvements brought a sigh of relief to ordinary citizens. That being said, the familiar tug-of-war remains where progress in one area meets resistance in another, slowing the march toward lasting reform.
Despite widespread concerns over the rising prices of essential commodities, gas, electricity, and water, this Ramadan was noticeably less turbulent. With the exception of a few items, prices of daily necessities remained relatively stable. Onions were available at 3 to 4 kilograms for Tk 100. Green chilli, aubergine, cucumber and other vegetables were selling for prices lower than expected, bringing the much-needed relief to consumers. Even more reassuring was the fact that there was no major crisis in gas, electricity or water supply — something that has long been a source of disappointment for many in Ramadan.
There were early fears that syndicates would manipulate prices and disrupt the supply of high-demand items like chickpeas, oil, sugar, onions, cucumbers, carrots, lemons, fish, and meat. Some of this was evident, particularly in the case of rice and oil, but strong action from the authorities kept things from spiralling out of control. The high availability of vegetables and onions played a significant role in keeping the market stable while the price of meat, though high, did not see erratic increases. Broiler chicken and sea fish remained within a reasonable range, ensuring that families could prepare their iftar and sehri meals without too much financial strain.
One of the biggest concerns leading up to Ramadan was whether there would be an energy crisis, especially with LNG import in question. While some city areas did experience temporary water shortages because of disrupted pipelines, gas and electricity supplies remained steady. Unlike previous years, there were very few complaints of gas shortages, particularly during sehri and iftar times. Power cuts, while not completely absent, were infrequent and did not cause widespread inconvenience. For most, this Ramadan was more comfortable than those in recent memory.
As Ramadan ended, attention shifted to Eid travel, a period typically marked by relentless traffic jams, overcharging, harassment and a spike in road accidents. However, this year’s experience was noticeably different. From the very first day of Eid travel, authorities took a proactive stance. Police and road transport officials were deployed at major bus terminals, with plainclothes officers monitoring ticket counters to prevent overcharging. Their presence alone was enough to deter many operators from exploiting passengers. The introduction of online train ticketing also proved to be a game-changer, significantly reducing black-market sales. While demand remained high, both bus and train services ran smoothly and, for the most part, stayed within reasonable price limits.
This was also one of the safest Eid journeys in recent history. There were no reports of major road accidents, and congestion was surprisingly manageable. Of course, there were isolated incidents — some non-branded buses at Gabtali charged passengers Tk 100–300 more than the set fare and extra fees were reportedly demanded for crossing the Padma Bridge. But where such violations occurred, the Road Transport Authority and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection responded swiftly, much to the satisfaction of travellers.
While the transport situation improved, the market was not entirely free of surprises. Just before Eid, the price of Milk Vita’s liquid milk saw a sudden increase. Half-litre packets went from Tk 50 to Tk 55 while one-litre packets jumped from Tk 90 to Tk 100. Powdered milk prices also saw an uptick in some areas. On the other hand, some Eid essentials remained stable. Vermicelli, noodles and pilaf rice held steady, offering consumers some financial breathing room. But as always, meat prices spiked. Broiler chicken jumped by Tk 30 a kilogram in two weeks, selling for Tk 220–230 a kilogram, while Sonali chicken shot up by Tk 40 a kilogram, reaching Tk 300–330.
Interestingly, the price of farm eggs dropped slightly, with a dozen selling for Tk 110–120 in Dhaka markets although slightly higher in residential areas. Beef prices held firm at Tk 750–780 a kilogram while mutton remained expensive at Tk 1,100–1,150 a kilogram. Meanwhile, lemon, cucumber and aubergine remained on the pricier side. There was some good news when it came to pilaf rice and sugar. Both were cheaper than they were last Eid, with pilaf rice costing Tk 40 less a kilogram and sugar dropping by Tk 20. Vermicelli prices also saw a slight decrease. Spices remained mostly stable, except for cinnamon and black pepper, which became marginally more expensive.
For many, one of the biggest disappointments was the failure of rice prices to come down. In fact, depending on the variety and quality, the price of a 50kg sack has risen by Tk 50–200 over the past month. Miniket rice now sells for Tk 82–92 a kilogram, Nazirshail for Tk 84–90, Swarna for Tk 55 and BR-28 for Tk 65. Fish prices also climbed, with rohita, katla and Pangas increasing by Tk 20–50 a kilogram.
Throughout Ramadan and leading up to Eid, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection played a crucial role in keeping markets in check. Their aggressive monitoring and enforcement gave consumers much-needed confidence, as dishonest traders were swiftly brought under control. Their presence in markets was a reassuring sight, reinforcing the idea that authorities were actively working in the public’s interest.
Meanwhile, bus terminals and train stations were buzzing with activity. Long-distance bus operators were actively calling out for passengers — something that would have been unthinkable in previous years when crowds would flood terminals. The lower-than-expected rush meant that many people left Dhaka without much hassle. Those travelling northward confirmed that buses were charging fair prices although some reports of overpricing persisted in specific cases. Given the improved travel conditions, many opted for trains, which ran without major delays or schedule disruptions.
Security measures were also ramped up across the country. Police, Rapid Action Battalion, army personnel and border guards were deployed nationwide while plainclothes officers conducted patrols to prevent potential disturbances. The Detective Branch increased surveillance at shopping malls, bus terminals, launch terminals and train stations to ensure public safety.
However, as the travel season came to a close, attention shifted to a critical issue — workers’ rights and timely wage payments, which is where the real test of governance lies. In an effort to ensure a joyful Eid for all, the government mandated that March salaries or wages and Eid allowance should be paid by March 23. The government set this requirement to make the first Eid of its tenure festive and smooth for the people. Government, semi-government and autonomous institutions followed the directive and paid the salaries or wages on time. However, it remains under investigation how many private institutions adhered to this timeline. It is clear that the focus on wage enforcement needs to be extended to the private sector, where many workers — particularly in education and industry — faced delays or received only partial payments.
Two days before Eid, teachers and staff at private schools, colleges and madrassahs were worried. Many of them, especially those on monthly payment order schemes, were facing serious problems. Most private schools and madrassahs were late in paying teachers their salaries, and this year, the wait was even longer. Teachers who are used to receiving their salaries late had to wait much longer than usual for their February salary and allowances, making it uncertain whether they would get paid before Eid. Although the government announced on March 28 that banks would stay open to pay teachers, there were still doubts about whether they would receive their pay in time. After a lot of wait, more than 350,000 teachers and staff on the monthly pay order scheme were finally able to collect their salary and allowance. But they were still left with a new worry. When would they receive their salary for March? This delay, not new though, hit especially hard this year because of the rising cost of living and the extra financial pressure of preparing for Eid. Many teachers spent the holiday in uncertainty, unable to provide for their families the way they wanted. Frustration grew as no clear solution was offered for the delay in payments. Things got worse when teachers took to the streets to demand their pay and were met with police force instead of a solution. The harsh response, shared widely on social media, cast a shadow over what should have been a happy time, highlighting just how vulnerable teachers are in these situations.
Industrial workers faced an even harsher reality. Many factories failed to pay wages and Eid allowances in full, leaving workers struggling to meet their most basic needs during the holiday. Reports emerged of employees receiving only partial payments, while others in other private sectors were forced to accept token festival allowance of Tk 5,009, an amount far too small to cover even the minimum Eid expenses. For those who rely entirely on their wages for survival, this meant cutting back on food, skipping travel home, or even going into debt just to get through the holiday. In many cases, workers who protested or demanded their rightful payments were met with violent crackdowns. Rather than listening to their grievances, authorities deployed industrial police forces to suppress demonstrations, using batons to disperse workers seeking justice. This heavy-handed response not only deepened the resentment among the working class but also underscored a fundamental failure in labour rights protection.
Beyond the immediate wage crisis, a larger issue looms over the industrial sector — the alarming rate of factory closures. In the past seven months alone, more than a hundred factories have shut down, leaving thousands of workers unemployed with no safety net. Many of these workers, having spent years in their respective industries, now find themselves without any alternative means of income. Yet, there seems to be no urgency from policymakers to address this growing crisis. No financial aid programmes have been introduced, no job placement initiatives have been proposed, and no concrete plans for reskilling these displaced workers have been put in place. If this trend continues, the long-term effects on both the economy and social stability could be severe. The government must prioritise immediate relief for these workers, whether through financial assistance programmes, re-employment initiatives, or vocational training to help them transition into new fields.
The issue of wage non-payment, especially in the private sector, demonstrates a systemic failure that needs to be corrected through stronger policies. While government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions complied with the salary payment deadline, the private sector largely failed to do so. In many cases, workers did not receive their due salaries at all, and in others, they were given just a fraction of what they were owed. This lack of wage enforcement is not a new problem, but its persistence highlights a major gap in governance. Unless stricter regulations are put in place, private companies will continue to exploit workers with little to no consequences.
To address this, several key actions need to be taken. First, the government could establish targeted emergency relief funds to support workers who have lost their jobs due to factory closures or economic downturns, providing one-time financial assistance based on their prior wages. This would ensure that displaced workers are not left to struggle on their own while searching for new employment. Secondly, the government should conduct regular audits of private companies to ensure compliance with wage laws, holding non-compliant businesses accountable through penalties or suspensions. Without strict monitoring, wage violations will persist, and workers will continue to suffer. Furthermore, the creation of an online wage tracking platform would allow workers to easily verify whether they are receiving fair and timely payments, increasing accountability and making it harder for employers to manipulate salary disbursements. Lastly, introducing mandatory salary structures in the private sector would help ensure fair pay across industries, reducing the risk of exploitation and helping to narrow the gap between the rich and poor. By implementing these measures, the government can protect workers’ rights, ensure fair wages, and help mitigate income inequality.
This Ramadan and Eid season has shown us what can happen when the right policies are in place, but it has also exposed the deep-seated challenges that remain. Some parts of governance have worked well and should be continued, while others desperately need reform. True progress isn’t just about stabilising markets or ensuring smooth travel; it’s about guaranteeing fair wages, protecting workers’ rights, and ensuring that every citizen, regardless of their profession or income, can celebrate Eid with dignity. The next government must learn from this season’s successes and shortcomings and move forward with a comprehensive set of policies that ensure no one is left behind. The people deserve better and their well-being should always come first.
Nafew Sajed Joy is a writer and researcher.
