Secretariat officials protest to demand withdrawal of draft law allowing easy dismissal

Highlights:

• Secretariat officials protesting for second day over draft ordinance
• The protest inside the administration hub began around 9:30am today
• The ordinance allows public administration ministry to directly dismiss officials for misconduct
• Calling it repressive, protesters demanding the ordinance's withdrawal
• Threaten to continue movement until the ordinance is cancelled

Government employees at the Secretariat staged an unprecedented protest today, demanding the withdrawal of the draft Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which allows for easier dismissal of officials.

The protesters warned that if the ordinance is not scrapped, they will escalate their actions, including a complete work stoppage. They accused the interim government of revising the law to effectively block collective protests by public servants.

Secretariat staff have protested before, but never on this scale. After the government changed last year, they repeatedly created uproar at the public administration ministry – most notably over deputy commissioner appointments. 

However, many officials believe today's protest surpassed even that.

Today's demonstration began around 9:30am near Building 6, where officials and staff gathered before holding a protest march inside the Secretariat. 

By 11:30am, hundreds of employees, led by Nurul Islam and Badiul Kabir – leaders from two factions of the Secretariat Officers and Employees Coordinated Council – assembled outside the Ministry of Public Administration.

From there, they marched to surround the office of Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan. As the adviser was absent, the protesters stayed for 15 to 20 minutes before continuing their demonstration. 

Later, the employees blocked the main gate of the Secretariat, stopping vehicles from entering or leaving for about half an hour, causing significant traffic congestion inside.

During the protest, employees chanted slogans such as "The fire is burning within our hearts," "We reject the illegal black law," and "Secretariat employees, unite and fight."

Addressing the crowd, Staff Association President Badiul Kabir said the ordinance was drafted without consulting civil servants. "This law is oppressive. We will continue our programme until the draft is fully withdrawn," he said.

Another leader, Nurul Islam, warned, "If the ordinance is passed, advisers will not be allowed to enter the Secretariat. We have already spoken to two advisers. If necessary, we will stop working altogether."

During the protest near the housing secretary's office, Secretary Md Nazrul Islam left a meeting to speak with the protesters, with some seen exchanging heated words.

Social Welfare Adviser Sharmin S Murshid also faced obstruction entering the Secretariat. Her car was stopped after passing Building 7 but was allowed through after police accompanying her requested cooperation.

Committee to review grievances

Later in the day, the public administration ministry issued a notification announcing the formation of a 10-member committee, led by an additional secretary, to review the grievances of protesting employees.

The committee will assess the legitimacy of demands, offer recommendations, meet monthly, and consult employee representatives or co-opt members if necessary.

What's in the ordinance

The draft ordinance seeks to restore four provisions from the repealed Government Servants (Special Provisions) Ordinance 1979. These would permit disciplinary actions such as demotion, removal, or dismissal for activities like inciting colleagues to skip duties or obstructing others' work.

Both the Secretariat Staff Association and the Inter-Ministerial Employees Association have appealed for the chief adviser's intervention to halt the ordinance. All staff organisations at the Secretariat oppose the draft.

When asked about the protest, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury urged employees to raise concerns through dialogue with the Cabinet Division or Public Administration Ministry. 

"They should resolve the issue through discussion," he said.

Regarding the timing of the ordinance, the adviser added, "Changes are made as needed. It was revised in 2018 and again now. There's nothing unusual."