Government Employees to Extend Protests into Tuesday

Government employees at the Secretariat announced on Monday that they would continue their demonstrations into Tuesday, demanding the immediate repeal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. They also called on government employees across the country to join similar programmes in solidarity.

Monday’s scheduled protest was initially postponed due to a planned meeting with the Law Adviser at 2 pm, which ultimately did not take place. Subsequently, employees declared that future protests would be held under the banner of the ‘Bangladesh Secretariat Officers Employees Oikya Forum’.

Demonstrations took place for the third consecutive day on the Secretariat premises, with employees from various ministries and departments participating. The protest was led by Md Badiul Kabir, President of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Coordinated Council, along with its Secretary General Nizam Uddin Ahmed. Around 11:00 am, another faction of the Coordinated Council, led by Md Nurul Islam and Mujahidul Islam, joined the demonstration.

Protesters chanted slogans such as “Illegal black law must be repealed,” “We do not accept this law,” “Unite and resist—18 lakh employees,” and “No compromise, only struggle,” demanding the immediate withdrawal of the ordinance. Many left their workstations to join the rally on the Secretariat grounds.

The ordinance, issued by the President on Sunday evening, enables the government to dismiss employees for four categories of disciplinary violations through a show-cause notice, bypassing formal departmental procedures. After the draft law received approval from the Council of Advisers on May 22, Secretariat employees began protesting, labelling the law as unjust and unconstitutional.

On Sunday, all employee organisations at the Secretariat pledged to continue their movement until the ordinance is repealed.