Protest demands ‘Secretariat allowance’, finance advisor ‘obstructed’

Several hundred non-cadre officials at the Secretariat from different ministries took part in the protest

Officials and employees of many ministries and departments have launched protests demanding a 20 percent “Secretariat allowance” for all workers at the nerve centre of Bangladesh’s administration.

They took up positions in front of the office of Financial Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat after 2:30pm on Wednesday. He was effectively blocked from leaving.

Zahirul Islam, deputy commissioner of police for the Secretariat Security Division, told bdnews24.com: "They have come to meet the advisor to demand allowances and are taking up positions there."

In response to a question, the police official said: "The advisor has summoned some of their leaders. They are talking."

Another police official said, "They are protesting for allowances and are demanding the publication of a gazette by today. The financial advisor and the finance secretary have sat down with them, they are discussing it."

Hundreds of non-cadre officers and employees of various ministries are participating in the protest at the Secretariat.

They took up positions in front of the office of the finance advisor on the third floor of the Ministry of Finance and are using a megaphone to chant slogans pushing for their demand.

A secretary's personal assistant said: "We have to stay at work as long as advisors, ministers, and secretaries are at the office at night. Although officials and employees of various departments receive different types of allowances outside the pay scale, we are deprived. That is why this movement is demanding a 20 percent Secretariat allowance."