Dhaka: Hundreds of Bangladesh government employees intensified their protests against a newly enacted service law. The protests continued for a fourth consecutive day amidst the deepening tensions following the enactment of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance 2025. This act allows for the dismissal of public servants without formal departmental proceedings.
The protest began on Monday afternoon, with employees gathering at the Secretariat’s main gate and locking the entrance. The gate was reopened approximately 30 minutes later, but employees continued the agitation and stopped demanding the immediate repeal of the ordinance.
The Secretariat has already witnessed a near complete disruption of daily functions. The protests mark one of the most serious challenges to the Yunus-led government. While it has already been in scrutiny regarding its economic stability and various reforms, these protests continue to intensify the prevailing crisis.
Deployment of special forces
In response to the unrest, the government has taken several measures and deployed special forces including the SWAT unit and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the secretariat. Security has been tightened at the Secretariat and only officials and staff being permitted entry.
The ordinance issued on Sunday evening allows the government to terminate employees for four categories of disciplinary violations through a show-cause notice, bypassing formal departmental proceedings. The new ordinance has been subjected to widespread criticism from the civil servants who view it as a threat to their job security and regard it as an unruly move.
Protests threaten government
Head of Bangladesh interim government, Muhammad Yunus, assumed leadership in August 2024, following mass protests that ousted former PM Sheikh Hasina. The regime in Bangladesh is under mounting pressure from the people, government officials and the military.
Meanwhile, the government staff has vowed to keep their agitation till a plausible resolution to their demands is reached. However, the ongoing protests is expected to paralyse the day to day working of the government institutions and disrupt normal functioning.
