The International Monetary Fund has offered an additional $1 billion to Bangladesh but the government is pushing for at least $2 billion to implement the interim government's reform agenda, narrow the deficit in the current account and shore up the dollar stockpile. Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed sought a fresh $3 billion from the Washington-based multilateral lender under the existing loan programme on the sidelines of the annual World Bank-IMF meeting in October.

Following the discussion, a 13-member IMF mission came to Bangladesh at the beginning of the month to review the country's performance and compliance with structural reform conditions for the fourth tranche of the existing loan. The issue of extending the loan amount was discussed with the mission, which has offered about $1 billion in exchange for additional reform conditions. But the government is holding out for at least $2 billion. In January last year, the multilateral lender approved a $4.7 billion loan package for Bangladesh.

Air pollution in Dhaka continues to worsen. Last November, the city's air pollution reached its highest level in the past eight years. This data is monitored by Stamford University's Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS). According to the organisation's findings, Dhaka's Air Quality Index (AQI) in November was 176.66, the highest in the last eight years (2016-2023). AQI value this November reached 195, marking an increase of more than 10 percent compared to the past nine years. In comparison to 2023, the AQI rose by 11.5 percent.

The study revealed that, in November, residents of Dhaka were unable to breathe clean or healthy air for a single day. The situation worsened in December, with Dhaka's air quality significantly declining. Not a single day in the first nine days of December had good air quality. In fact, on December 5, the air quality reached its worst level of the year. At around 9am that day, Dhaka's AQI was recorded at 341 on IQAir's air quality index.

Director General of the RAB and Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rahman publicly apologised for the force's involvement in incidents of disappearances and killings, including the infamous seven murders in Narayanganj. Speaking at a press conference held at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Thursday (Dec. 12), he acknowledged the allegations against the elite force. Responding to calls for the abolition of RAB, he said: "We will accept whatever decision the government takes. However, during my tenure, I am committed to ensuring RAB operates with devotion and integrity."

He highlighted that ongoing investigations, including international probes into incidents like the helicopter shooting, are being fully supported by RAB. "We are cooperating completely with these investigations," he added. The RAB chief revealed that since the force's inception, 58 officers and 4,246 members have faced disciplinary actions for various offences. Following the political changeover on August 5, 16 RAB members were arrested for crimes such as extortion, drug-related offences, and robbery.

Readymade garment workers of at least 25 factories in Ashulias have rejected the announcement of a 9 percent annual increase in their wages, demanding a 15 per cent annual increase. Production at the factories in the industrial belt had started as usual on Wednesday morning (Dec. 11) but after some time workers from several factories refused to continue and left their factories. As a result, authorities of at least 25 factories declared holidays before noon on the day, some under Section 13(1) of the Labour Law, which means no work no pay.

The Labour Ministry earlier announced an increase in garment workers' annual wage increment from the existing 5 percent to 9 percent following a meeting of the 'Minimum Wage Review and Annual Increment Hike for the RMG Sector' committee. The new wage structure will be effective from this month. Additional police and military personnel were deployed at key locations in the industrial area to prevent any untoward incidents.