Govt forms high-level committee with Asif Nazrul as head to review objections to public service ordinance

The government has formed a high-level committee, with Law Adviser Asif Nazrul as the convener, to review the recently promulgated Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 and submit recommendations amid widespread objections from government employees.

The other members of the committee include Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, according to a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division. It will come into effect immediately.

Besides, the senior land secretary, the housing and public works secretary and the statistics and information management secretary have been appointed to provide secretarial support to the constituted committee

The committee may co-opt one or more members if necessary.

According to the notification, the committee has been constituted "to review the situation arising in the context of the recently promulgated 'Government Jobs (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025' and to formulate well-thought-out recommendations as soon as possible in consultation with the protesting organisations."

The development comes just a day after Asif Nazrul said the government is going to form a high-level committee to review the recently promulgated Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance.

Speaking to reporters after receiving a memorandum from leaders of the Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum yesterday (3 June), the platform leading the protest demanding the ordinance's withdrawal, he also said, "There are concerns among government employees regarding the ordinance. The government is fully open to listening to their objections. So far, I know, a high-level advisory committee will be formed. The committee will be tasked with thoroughly reviewing their objections and making appropriate recommendations."

The Adviser said the government is approaching the matter with the highest level of humanitarian consideration. "If I am included in the committee, I will sincerely listen to their concerns and try to present them in the meeting of the advisory council," he added.

Yesterday, the protesting employees of various ministries and departments within the Secretariat gathered near Building 6 to hand over a memorandum to the two advisers.

Speaking there, Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum Co-Chairman Md Nurul Islam said, "If you [the government] think the movement has stopped, then you are living in a fool's paradise. We will launch a programme that you cannot even imagine. Eid is nearing, so we have not announced any protest programme for tomorrow.

"If this law is not repealed, then if necessary, we will also launch a sit-in programme in addition to work abstention. If necessary, such protest programmes will be spread throughout the country, including DC offices, divisions, and the entire country," he added.

"If we do not get good news by 15 June, the leaders will announce a strict programme," he warned.

Badiul Kabir, another co-chairman of the forum, said since many people will go home during the Eid vacation, there will also be no protest programme on the first working day after Eid.

He told the employees, "All of you should come prepared on 16 June. No one should be at work, everyone will gather here (Badamtala of the Secretariat) at 11am. This repressive and black law must be repealed."