Employees observe work stoppage at Secretariat

Government employees observed a two-hour work stoppage at Bangladesh Secretariat in the capital on Monday, demanding the repeal of the Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance 2025.

The employees from different ministries and divisions refrained from discharging duties from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm following a call made by the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum.

Afterwards, they gathered at the Secretariat Central Library in the Ministry of Public Administration, where the forum leaders spoke. The leaders, in their speech, expressed gratitude to all the employees, who participated in the work stoppage, and demanded immediate withdrawal of the ordinance.

Forum's Co-Chairman Md Badiul Kabir announced the next phase of the movement, which includes a public engagement campaign with professional bodies and office-based service associations across the country today (Tuesday).

Additionally, programmes would be held with service associations at all the ministries and divisional commissioner offices tomorrow (Wednesday). Announcement regarding the next course of action would be made on the same day.

Describing the ordinance as a "controversial and black ordinance", Md Badiul Kabir said if it is not withdrawn immediately, a larger and unified movement would be launched nationwide. Preparations are already underway in offices across the country.

"The sooner this so-called ordinance is repealed, the sooner peace will return among the employees," he opined.

The officers and employees of several ministries and divisions have been protesting inside the Secretariat against the ordinance since May 24. The government formally issued the amendment on May 25 amid the agitation.

Protesters have since staged demonstrations, observed work stoppages, and submitted memorandums to the government advisers to press their demands. The agitation resumed on June 16 after the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com