Strike intensifies at Secretariat over controversial civil service amendment

NN Online:
Government employees continued their strike for a second straight day on Sunday, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the proposed Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance 2025. The protest, held at the Secretariat, has significantly disrupted official work.

The demonstration, organised under the banner of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council, began in the morning and was still ongoing as of 12:40 PM.

Employees from multiple departments refrained from work and gathered on the Secretariat premises to express their opposition to the ordinance. A large number of officials and staff joined the protest from early in the day.

Later, demonstrators moved toward the main gate of the Secretariat and held a protest rally. By 11:30 AM, vehicle movement through the gate had come to a standstill, further hampering daily operations.

The strike was triggered after the draft ordinance received approval from the Advisory Council on May 22. In response, government authorities have assigned four advisers to further review the draft.

Protesters have harshly criticized the proposed law, calling it “repressive and draconian.” They argue that the amendments would undermine employee rights and give the government excessive control over civil servants.

Demonstrators insist they will not return to work until the draft ordinance is withdrawn entirely.