Secretariat staff pause protests for a day after assurances

The protesters want the ordinance amending the Public Service Act to be repealed and have suspended the demonstrations as the government mulls over their demand

Government employees have decided to suspend their protest opposing the ordinance amending the Public Service Act for a day after meeting with several secretaries and receiving assurances.

Nurul Islam, one of the leaders of the protesters, announced the decision after a meeting at the land ministry on Tuesday.

He said, "We do not want any amendment to the law. We want it [the ordinance] to be completely repealed. At today’s meeting, we gave the government that message. In addition, Wednesday's programme has been postponed due to the government's decision."

Another protest leader, Badiul Kabir, said: "The protest programme against the law will be suspended tomorrow."

After the meeting, Land Secretary ASM Saleh Ahmed said: "The Secretariat employees have demanded the complete repeal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance 2025. This information will be communicated to the cabinet secretary tomorrow. After that, the government will take a decision on the matter."

“That is why the Secretariat employees have announced a suspension of their protest [Wednesday].”

Further programmes may be announced after the government’s decision, said Badiul.

Amid the ongoing protests at the Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Roshid held an emergency meeting with several secretaries on Tuesday morning. The attendees decided to hold a meeting with the protesting employees demanding the repeal of the ordinance. Later, at 2pm, the land secretary, housing and public works secretary, statistics secretary, local government division secretary, and youth and sports ministry secretary met with the agitators.

After a meeting that lasted about two hours, Land Secretary Saleh said: “There has been a protest for several days demanding the repeal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance. In view of that, this morning, the cabinet secretary held a meeting with several other secretaries and decided to meet with the protesters. We have asked them what they want at the meeting. The protesters have demanded the repeal of the entire law. They think it may be misused.

“Tomorrow, at 10am, all the secretaries who participated in today’s meeting will inform the cabinet secretary about the matter. Then the government will make a decision on this matter and it will be announced. Until then, the protesters have decided to suspend their demonstrations.”