Hundreds of government officers and employees at the Bangladesh Secretariat staged a second day of protests on Sunday (May 25), walking out of their offices to oppose a newly approved draft ordinance they have branded a “black law.”

The demonstration, organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers-Employees Joint Council, took place within the Secretariat premises. 

Chanting slogans, employees marched through various sections of the administrative complex, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the proposed legislation.

The protest follows the interim government’s Advisory Council's approval on Thursday of the draft Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, which seeks to amend the Government Service Act, 2018.

Union leaders and employees claim the draft includes “regressive provisions” allegedly borrowed from outdated rules enacted more than four decades ago. 

Critics argue the proposed changes would allow for the arbitrary punishment and even dismissal of civil servants, undermining their job security and constitutional protections.

“This ordinance opens the door to misuse of power and is a direct violation of constitutional guarantees for public servants,” a protesting official told reporters, requesting anonymity due to fear of reprisal.

The Joint Council has called for the ordinance to be scrapped and urged authorities to initiate discussions with employee representatives to review the proposed amendments.

ND-SMS/