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Published : 16 Jun 2025, 04:48 PM
The Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Council has called for a large-scale gathering at the Secretariat’s Badamtala if the government refuses to revoke the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance.
The announcement was made at a rally outside the Ministry of Public Administration and the Cabinet Division on Monday.
Mujahidul Islam Selim, the Council’s secretary general, urged all Secretariat staff to start department-based processions, which will come together in a mass rally at 11am on Tuesday.
Addressing the interim government’s law advisor, Selim said: “The advisor claimed he was abroad when the law was passed, implying that had he been present, the ordinance would never have been approved.”
He questioned the intentions behind the ordinance, explaining that since the fall of the Awami League government, there haven’t been any cases of irregularities in the Secretariat.
“We are not thugs. We are not the kind to take to the streets and shout slogans. Why are you provoking us?” he asked.
The Council’s Co-chairman Badiul Kabir said that the interim government is provoking the Secretariat staff by enacting this ordinance. He called for its immediate revocation.
Nurul Islam, another co-chair, added: “Various cadre services have already started to protest. The government is toying with us, as if they’re playing a game of snakes and ladders.”
He elaborated, “We demanded an inflation allowance, change of positions, and a secretariat-specific allowance. Now they’ve quietly introduced this draconian ordinance. At this moment, they do not have the authority to enact an ordinance like this. We strongly condemn those involved in this matter.”
He criticised what the government termed a “special allowance,” calling it a “deceptive allowance”.
SCOPE TO RECONSIDER ORDINANCE
Amid the protests, Asif Nazrul has said government employees may become “victims of harassment” through this ordinance, noting that there is “scope for reconsideration of some parts”.
The law advisor made the statements to the media at the Secretariat on Monday.
A committee formed by the Cabinet to discuss the issue is meeting today, he said.
Asif is serving as the head of the committee.
He said, “There is definitely room for reconsideration of the Public Service Ordinance. I was abroad at the time. I was not directly involved in the formulation of the law. Later, when I saw the law, I felt that there was scope for reconsideration in some parts.”
Regarding the government's purpose for the law and its implementation, the advisor said: “The government did not make the law for any malicious purpose. Still, those for whom the law is intended may face difficulties or be harassed under this law.
“I admit that there is such a possibility. This is a law made by the Ministry of Public Administration. Any ordinance is issued through the law ministry. But the ministry did not write this.”
Stating that the demands of government employees will be discussed in the meeting on Monday, the advisor requested protesters not to disrupt government work.
He said, “I will submit a report in the form of recommendations to the Advisory Council. I request our employee brothers to remain patient with regard to protests. If you do not end up liking our programme, then you can opt for protests.
“There should be no disruption to the work of the Secretariat. If you want to issue a statement, do it. If you want, hold a meeting with us. But do not disrupt government work.”
On May 22, the Advisory Council approved a proposal to amend the Public Service Act in the form of an ordinance.
The amendment includes a new clause, Section 37Ka, added to the previous law.
According to the new provision, an official or employee can face disciplinary action if found guilty following two seven-day notice periods.
Protesters say the ordinance creates opportunities to punish or even arbitrarily dismiss government officials, raising concerns over its potential misuse.
