Secretariat gridlocked for fourth day amid employee protests

NN Online:
Protests by government employees entered their fourth consecutive day on Tuesday, effectively paralyzing administrative operations at the Secretariat, as demonstrators demanded the withdrawal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance-2025.

The demonstration began around 11am near Building No-6 in the Badamtoli area of the Secretariat, amid heightened security at all entry points. Authorities barred visitors and journalists from entering the premises. As of 12:10pm, the protest was ongoing.

Chanting slogans and waving placards, the protesters denounced the ordinance as an “unlawful black law” and called on their fellow workers who have yet to join the movement to participate in the demonstrations.

Slogans such as “The fire has been lit in our blood,” “Abolish the unlawful black law,” “Employees reject this illegal law,” “We will not accept it,” “Unite 18 lakh workers,” and “No compromise, only struggle” echoed throughout the Secretariat grounds.

In anticipation of the protests, the Public Security Division of the Home Ministry on Monday restricted all types of visitor access to the Secretariat for Tuesday. Additionally, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) imposed a ban on rallies and gatherings in and around the area.

The controversial ordinance, issued by the President on Sunday evening, empowers the government to dismiss employees for four types of disciplinary breaches through a show-cause notice, without initiating formal departmental proceedings.

Following its approval by the Council of Advisers on 22 May, Secretariat employees began staging protests, labelling the law as unjust and unconstitutional. On Sunday, all employee organisations at the Secretariat pledged to continue their movement until the ordinance is repealed.