Govt forms 8-Member Committee to Resolve Demo at Secretariat
Dhaka, May 27, 2025 — Amid ongoing protests at the Bangladesh Secretariat demanding the withdrawal of the newly enacted Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, the government has formed an eight-member committee of secretaries to engage in dialogue with agitating government officers and employees.
The committee is headed by Senior Secretary of the Land Ministry, ASM Saleh Ahmed, and aims to ease tensions that have escalated over the past four days.
The formation of the committee was officially announced on Tuesday by the Cabinet Division. Badiul Kabir, Co-Chairman of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers-Employees Unity Forum, confirmed the development and stated that the committee is expected to hold discussions with protest leaders soon. However, no specific timeline for the meeting has been provided.
Fourth Consecutive Day of Protests
For the fourth consecutive day, hundreds of officers and employees staged demonstrations at the Secretariat. On Tuesday morning, around 11:00 AM, demonstrators gathered near Building No. 6 in the Badamtali area of the Secretariat to voice their opposition to the ordinance. Protesters broke through security cordons and chanted slogans such as:
"Lagechhe re lagechhe, rokto agun legechhe" (We’re enraged, our blood is on fire)
"Oboidho kalo ain, batil korte hobe" (The illegal black law must be scrapped)
"Ek hou lorai kor, 18 lokkho karmochari" (Unite and fight, 1.8 million employees)
Other chants emphasized resistance and unity, rejecting what protesters describe as a “repressive” piece of legislation.
Tight Security Measures and Restricted Access
In response to the escalating protest, access to the Secretariat was heavily restricted on Tuesday. Additional security personnel were deployed, and visitors were barred from entering the premises. Journalists were also denied entry until 1:00 PM, after the day's protest activities had concluded.
This restriction sparked further outrage among the protest leaders.
Muhammad Nurul Islam, Co-Chairman of the Unity Forum and a leader from one faction of the Secretariat Employees’ Council, criticized the move as a violation of press freedom and the right to free expression.
He reiterated that the protests would continue unabated until the ordinance is repealed.
Protesters Reject the Ordinance
Protesting employees have labeled the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 as “draconian” and “unconstitutional.”
According to them, it infringes on their basic rights and paves the way for abuse of power by superiors.
Nurul Islam warned that unless the ordinance is withdrawn, the movement will intensify and spread nationwide.
In a defiant statement, several protest leaders threatened more aggressive action, including locking government ministry offices, particularly the Ministry of Law, if their demands are not met.
Background of the Ordinance
The ordinance was officially promulgated by the President on Sunday (May 25) evening after being approved by the Advisory Council the previous Thursday.
The new law outlines disciplinary measures for government employees engaged in:
Instigating disobedience or disrupting workplace discipline;
Absence from duty without authorization;
Inciting others to abstain from work;
Preventing colleagues from performing official duties.
Penalties under the ordinance include demotion, dismissal, or termination from service.
Protesters argue that this ordinance mirrors provisions previously struck down by the country’s highest court.
They assert that reviving these repealed clauses only revives old conflicts and undermines employee protections.
Looking Ahead
While discussions between the secretary committee and the protest leaders are expected to begin soon, the situation remains volatile.
The protesters have made it clear that unless the government takes immediate steps to revoke the ordinance, their movement will persist—and could expand into a broader nationwide campaign.
