Secretariat staff vow not to return to work until withdrawal of ordinance

Secretariat officials and employees are staging a protest inside the Secretariat demanding the withdrawal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

The Secretariat was abuzz with processions and slogans throughout the day on Saturday too.

Around 9:30AM on Sunday, the officials and employees started gathering in Badamtala of the secretariat for holding a protest procession led by Md Nurul Islam and Md Mojahidul Islam, president and general secretary, respectively, of a faction of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council.

By 10AM, the secretariat premises were filled with a large number of staff.

Hundreds of employees were seen leaving their offices to join the protest march in the morning. The council demanded the withdrawal of the ordinance, describing it as a ‘black law’.

They vowed that they do not return to work until this black law is withdrawn.

The draft ordinance, which aims to amend the Public Service Act, 2018, was approved in principle on May 22 during a meeting of the Advisory Council.

Officials and employees across all levels have expressed anger over the draft ordinance amending the Public Service Act of 2018. According to the draft, provisions have been included to allow dismissal from service without the opportunity for self-defense in cases of disciplinary breaches, obstruction of duties, unauthorised absence, or incitement to neglect responsibilities.