Govt amends service act to discipline 'unruly' employees amid protest at Secretariat

Amidst widespread protests by public employees, the government last night published an amended ordinance revising the Public Service Act, 2018, which allows easier dismissal of employees.

The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the law ministry issued the gazette of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance 2025.

Earlier in the day, government employees at the Secretariat staged an unprecedented protest, demanding the withdrawal of the draft of the ordinance. They began demonstrations at around 9:30am near Building 6, where officials and staff gathered before holding a protest march inside the Secretariat.

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.

Punishment for misconducts

According to the new provision, misconduct includes engaging in any act that amounts to insubordination, or that creates insubordination among other government employees, or disrupts discipline, or obstructs the performance of duties. 

Similarly, it defines misconduct as collectively or individually, without leave or any reasonable cause, being absent from or refraining from one's work, or failing to perform duties. 

Furthermore, inciting or encouraging any other employee to be absent from or refrain from their work, or to not perform their duties, or obstructing any government employee from attending work or performing duties, will also be considered misconduct.

For such acts of misconduct, the government is empowered to impose penalties including demotion to a lower post or pay grade, removal from service, and dismissal from service.

The amended law also stipulates that if an accusation of misconduct is brought against a government employee, the employee will be referred to as "accused." Subsequently, a show-cause notice will be issued within seven working days of framing the charge, asking why the proposed penalty under this section should not be imposed. The authorised individual will also state in the notice whether the accused wishes to appear for a personal hearing.

If the accused employee appears for a personal hearing after receiving such a show-cause notice, and if, after the hearing, the appointing authority or the person framing the charge finds the accused guilty, or if the accused fails to show cause within the stipulated time, then the appointing authority or the person framing the charge will issue another notice. 

This second notice will be issued within seven working days of the previous notice, asking why the proposed penalty mentioned in the notice should not be imposed.

Upon considering the explanation provided by the accused in response to this second notice, or if no explanation is provided within the stipulated time, the appointing authority may impose any of the penalties described in the notice on the accused.

Secretariat staff protest

Secretariat staff protested before, but never on the scale that they did yesterday, officials said.

The protesters gathered in the morning and 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 public administration ministry.

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.