Bangladesh Faces Worsening Crisis Amidst Wage Disputes and Strikes; Officials and Teachers Protest, Businesses Struggle; Yunus Declares a War-Like Situation, Elections Postponed to June 2026.
Dhaka: The situation in Bangladesh continues to deteriorate. Strikes and shutdowns have brought government offices and markets to a standstill, while a wage crisis fuels widespread discontent among employees. Meanwhile, interim government chief Mohammad Yunus issued a stark warning, stating that the country is facing a war-like situation.
Yunus announced that the national elections, previously scheduled for December 2025, have been postponed to June 2026. This postponement further exacerbates political instability within the nation.
Widespread Strikes Across Bangladesh
Strikes and protests have spread across Bangladesh, significantly impacting government operations. For a second consecutive day, revenue officials in Dhaka's secretariat remained absent from work, demanding the immediate revocation of the recently enacted Government Service Amendment Ordinance 2025.
Protesters argue that this law facilitates the dismissal and prosecution of government employees, leading to complete work stoppages.
Primary School Teachers Join the Strike
Government primary school teachers in Bangladesh have also joined the strike, announcing an indefinite work stoppage starting Monday. Their demand centers on raising their starting salary to match the 11th grade of the national pay scale.
Wage and Bonus Crisis: Businesses Compare Situation to 1971 War
The wage and bonus crisis continues to worsen. The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) president, Shoqat Aziz Russell, stated in a press conference, “We don't know how we will pay our employees' bonuses and salaries before Eid-ul-Azha. Businessmen are being killed, like the intellectuals were killed during the 1971 Liberation War.”
Russell accused the government of attracting investors while simultaneously deterring foreign investment. He claimed that foreign investors view Vietnam as a more favorable option than Bangladesh.
Yunus's Grave Warning: Country in a War-Like State
Amidst this critical situation, Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus expressed deep concern, stating, “A war-like situation has emerged both inside and outside the country. We are unable to move forward, instability prevails everywhere, and the nation is being pushed back towards slavery.”
Yunus further attributed the worsening situation to restrictions placed on Awami League activities, suggesting that certain forces are deliberately destabilizing the country.
Revised Election Timeline: General Elections Postponed to June 2026
Mohammad Yunus confirmed the postponement of the elections from December 2025, citing a need for six more months to conduct them. The elections are now scheduled for June 2026.
Yunus assured that he would not remain in office a single day beyond June 30, 2026, by which time he expects the national elections to be completed.
Growing Discord Between the Military and the Yunus Government
Amidst the political turmoil, growing tensions between the Yunus government and the military have emerged.
Sources indicate that Army Chief General Wakar-uz-Zaman met with Yunus last week, urging him to hold the elections by December 2025 and expressing concerns regarding the proposed corridor in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
However, Yunus reiterated that the elections will be held in June 2026.
