Govt employees vow to continue movement until ordinance fully revoked
Since 24 May, all unions representing government officers and staff at the Secretariat have been staging joint protests, calling for the repeal of what they describe as a “repressive and undemocratic ordinance”
Government employees on Wednesday warned of fresh protests on Thursday if the authorities fail to take steps to repeal the recently enacted Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.
Leaders of the movement said on Wednesday that the demonstrations will continue until the ordinance is completely revoked.
Nurul Islam, co-chairman of the Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum, said, "We have already planned conventions in all eight divisions. Senior government officials have betrayed our trust in the name of dialogue. We demand a 50 percent dearness allowance. Those bureaucrats supporting this fascist ordinance must be removed."
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Forum president Badiul Kabir echoed the demand, affirming that the protest would persist until the ordinance is scrapped in its entirety.
Protesters staged demonstrations in front of Building No 6 of the Secretariat on Wednesday, reiterating their opposition to the ordinance.
Nazrul Islam, another leader of the movement, said, "We are disciplined government workers. But if the ordinance is not withdrawn, we will launch a larger movement on Sunday."
The government promulgated the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 on 25 May, introducing a provision that allows the termination of public servants—without departmental proceedings—in four specific disciplinary cases, requiring only a show-cause notice.
The draft of the ordinance was approved during the Advisory Council meeting on 22 May.
Since 24 May, all unions representing government officers and staff at the Secretariat have been staging joint protests, calling for the repeal of what they describe as a "repressive and undemocratic ordinance."
