‘Monga’ Fear Returns as Seasonal Job Crisis Grips Rangpur’s Farm Workers
Thousands of agricultural workers in the river basin and remote rural areas of the Brahmaputra, Dudhkumar, Ghaghot, Teesta, and Dharla rivers in Rangpur Division are struggling amid a seasonal employment crisis. With two to three weeks still left before the Aman paddy harvesting season begins, day laborers are facing an acute shortage of work. The combined effect of river erosion and lack of employment opportunities has made the situation even more severe.
Trading of Six LR Global Mutual Funds Suspended Indefinitely
Trading of six mutual funds managed by LR Global Bangladesh Asset Management Company has been suspended indefinitely after the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) ordered the removal of the fund manager for allegedly misusing investors’ money.
Bangladesh Taka Falls to Record Low of Tk 122.75 per Dollar
The value of the U.S. dollar has risen again against the Bangladeshi taka. On October 23, the highest selling rate of the dollar across various banks stood at Tk 122.75, up from Tk 122.30 last week. Bank officials said the increase is due to a rise in the number of import LCs being opened, among several other factors.
U.S. Shutdown Increases Uncertainty in Global Economy
The ongoing shutdown in the United States has created risks not only for the country itself but also for the global economy. Due to the shutdown, the publication of key U.S. economic indicators has been halted. Major economies such as Japan, the United Kingdom, and others rely on this data. As a result, these countries are facing difficulties in formulating economic policies.
IMF Sets Foreign Loan Cap for Bangladesh for the First Time
For the first time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has set a limit on how much foreign loan Bangladesh can take. In the current fiscal year (2025-26), Bangladesh cannot take more than USD 8.44 billion in foreign loans. Previously, there was no such restriction from the IMF on Bangladesh.
NASSA Group Closes 16 Factories, Over 12,000 Workers Affected
NASSA Group has decided to permanently shut down 16 of its factory units located in Dhaka, Gazipur, Chattogram, and Cumilla export processing zones.
Over 2 Million Jobs Lost Since Yunus-Led Interim Government Took Office
Bangladesh has witnessed massive job losses since the Yunus-led interim government assumed power, with over 2.1 million people reportedly losing employment during the first half of the 2024-25 fiscal year (July–December), according to a new survey by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). Women have been disproportionately affected, making up 1.8 million, or nearly 85 percent, of the newly unemployed.