On Monday (November 2), the demand was made in a circular signed by the organization's President Md. Nazmul Hasan Mahmud and General Secretary Md. Arifur Rahman Tipu. The organization requested the Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources to issue the necessary government directives in this regard.

The circular said that the requirement to close shops by 8 pm has reduced sales for traders and created a buyer crisis in the markets. As a result, small and medium traders are facing financial losses. Considering the livelihoods of nearly 7 million traders in the country and the 25 million employees involved with them, the association decided at an emergency virtual meeting on November 1 to request an extension of shop opening hours.

Leaders of the organization believe that if markets are allowed to remain open until 10 pm, traders' financial losses will decrease, business and trade will return to normal pace, and employment for a huge number of people will be protected.