Latest news with #PublicService(Amendment)Ordinance
News18
28-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Bangladesh's Controversial Service Law Is Sparking Nationwide Employee Unrest. Here's Why
Curated By : Last Updated: May 28, 2025, 11:32 IST Civil officials protest inside the Secretariat building in Dhaka, demanding the repeal of a government order giving it greater power to sack employees for disciplinary breaches. (AFP) Bangladesh is in the throes of yet another protest, this time as government employees take to the roads to demand the repeal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, which grants the government sweeping powers to dismiss civil servants without due process. On Tuesday, Bangladesh's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus deployed paramilitary forces at the secretariat to quell protests that entered the fourth consecutive day. News agency PTI reported that paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the police's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, and elite anti-crime Raid Action Battalion (RAB) were stationed at the entrances of the secretariat complex housing ministries and important offices. WHAT DO THE NEW RULES SAY? As per the Dhaka Tribune, the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, issued by the President on Sunday, allows the government to fire employees for four types of disciplinary breaches through a show-cause notice, without initiating formal departmental proceedings. Power To Dismiss Or Suspend Without Due Process: The ordinance allows government authorities to suspend or dismiss civil servants unilaterally, without conducting formal inquiries, disciplinary hearings, or providing an opportunity for defence. This bypasses the traditional safeguards that require an independent investigation or administrative tribunal before taking such punitive actions. The government can act swiftly to remove employees considered problematic or disloyal without the usual procedural protections. Enhanced Executive Control Over Civil Servants: The new rules expand the powers of ministers and other executive officials to monitor, control, and direct the activities of civil servants. This includes tighter oversight on day-to-day functions and greater authority to issue instructions that civil servants must comply with. It reduces the autonomy traditionally enjoyed by bureaucrats in carrying out their duties. Restriction On Employee Rights And Protections: The ordinance limits or removes several job security protections for civil servants. Civil servants lose or have restricted rights to: Appeal against disciplinary measures, access transparent grievance procedures, and participate in unions or collective bargaining. The provision weakens civil servants' ability to defend themselves against arbitrary decisions. Expanded Grounds for Disciplinary Action: The ordinance broadens the list of offences or behaviours that can trigger disciplinary actions, including vague categories such as 'conduct prejudicial to public interest" or 'disloyalty." These open-ended terms give the government a free hand to interpret and apply disciplinary measures, potentially targeting dissent or opposition within the civil service. Changes to Promotion and Appointment Processes: The rules also affect promotion criteria and appointment procedures by increasing the role of political considerations. There is a shift towards executive discretion in appointments and promotions, reducing merit-based and seniority-based advancements. This risks politicising the bureaucracy and undermining professional standards. Imposition of New Reporting and Accountability Mechanisms: Civil servants are now subject to stricter reporting requirements and are expected to provide regular updates and justifications for their work. The ordinance may also require the declaration of assets and tighter scrutiny of activities to prevent corruption, but critics argue these mechanisms can be used selectively or abusively. WHY ARE EMPLOYEES PROTESTING? According to the protesters, the ability of the government to dismiss employees without due process has created widespread fear and uncertainty, undermining morale and job stability. Many see the ordinance as a violation of fundamental rights, including the right to a fair trial and protection against arbitrary punishment. Employees also fear that the rules could be used to target dissenters or those who do not align politically with the current interim administration, leading to a loss of neutrality within the civil service. Critics argue that these rules could hamper the independence and effectiveness of the civil service, as fear of arbitrary dismissal might discourage officials from making impartial decisions or speaking up against malpractices. The protesters, have described the ordinance as an 'unlawful black law" and were seen chanting slogans rejecting it, such as – 'The fire has been lit in our blood," 'Abolish the unlawful black law," 'Employees reject this illegal law," 'We will not accept it," 'Unite 18 lakh workers," and 'No compromise, only struggle." The unrest is unfolding amid rising national frustration with the interim government, which has held power for the past nine months amid mounting calls for fresh elections. Critics contend that under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus, the country's law and order situation has deteriorated, and the lack of a democratically elected government is intensifying political instability. HAS YUNUS LOST THE PLOT? After Sheikh Hasina's exit, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed to lead an interim government tasked with overseeing a transition and organising fresh elections in Bangladesh. However, Yunus's regime has faced mounting criticism from various quarters due to its handling of governance, policy decisions, and political management during this turbulent period. Critics argue that Yunus's interim government lacks democratic legitimacy since it was not elected by the people. This has led to widespread distrust and skepticism about the regime's authority, which is exacerbated by delays in holding elections. Despite promises to conduct elections by a certain deadline, delays and uncertainty have fueled political instability and public frustration. This has amplified calls for a return to an elected government. Swipe Left For Next Video View all Under Yunus's administration, inflation has risen sharply, straining household budgets and provoking worker protests, especially in sectors like garment manufacturing. Protests by garment workers and other labour groups over low wages and poor working conditions have highlighted growing economic discontent. The political turmoil and governance challenges have unsettled Bangladesh's international partners and investors, with international human rights organisations expressing concern over crackdowns on protests and suppression of freedoms during the Yunus regime. News world Bangladesh's Controversial Service Law Is Sparking Nationwide Employee Unrest. Here's Why
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Muhammad Yunus-led govt deploys paramilitary, SWAT as protest over service law grips Bangladesh
Bangladesh's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday deployed paramilitary forces at the secretariat as protests against a new service law entered its fourth consecutive day. Paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the police's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, and elite anti-crime Raid Action Battalion (RAB) were stationed at the entrances of the secretariat complex housing ministries and important offices, according to news agency PTI. Also Read: Bangladesh's two 'chicken necks' are more vulnerable: Assam CM Himanta Sarma warns The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on rallies and gatherings in the secretariat and adjacent areas. Journalists and visitors were also not allowed to enter the compound of the central administrative offices. The protests have started amid a larger movement calling for national elections to be held, after nine months of the interim government under Muhammad Yunus. Also Read: Amid 'rift' with Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's Army officers' 'no reason…' statement to the media The Dhaka Tribune reported that since the interim administration came into power, the law and order situation in Bangladesh has deteriorated and an officially elected government was necessary. Government employees have been protesting for four days straight, demanding the repeal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. The ordinance, issued by the President on Sunday, allows the government to fire employees for four types of disciplinary breaches through a show-cause notice, without initiating formal departmental proceedings, reported The Dhaka Tribune. Also Read: China warns its lonely 'leftover men' against 'buying' foreign brides in Bangladesh The protesters, have described the ordinance as an "unlawful black law" and were seen chanting slogans rejecting it, such as - "The fire has been lit in our blood," "Abolish the unlawful black law," "Employees reject this illegal law," "We will not accept it," "Unite 18 lakh workers," and 'No compromise, only struggle.' All employee organisations at the secretariat have vowed to continue their demonstrations until the law is withdrawn. Paramilitary forces also kept a strict vigil due to student-run organisation July Mancha, an ally of the interim government, holding protests countering the government employees.
The Print
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Bangladesh govt employees vow to continue their protest against new service law
According to media reports, employees of various ministries and offices continued their sit-in and protest marches under a banner called Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Coordination Council inside the compound, protesting the promulgation and enforcement of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. The protest at the secretariat, which houses ministries and important government offices, virtually paralysed the central administration for the third consecutive day on Monday. Dhaka/New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) Hundreds of government employees in Bangladesh on Monday vowed to continue their protest at the secretariat and urged their colleagues to stage nationwide demonstrations against a new service law which allows easier dismissal of officials for misconduct. They urged officials and employees across the country to hold demonstrations on Tuesday against the 'repressive' and 'black law'. Hasnat Abdullah, a prominent leader of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) formed with Muhammad Yunus' blessings in February, warned the government employees against the protests, saying, 'We will firmly resist it with the people's support'. Abdullah, a key leader of the Students Against Discrimination movement that ousted then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League regime last year, apparently referred protesters as collaborators of the deposed premier. 'Today, there are protests at the secretariat. NBR's (National Board of Revenue) reform processes are also being obstructed. Yet during the July mass uprising, these same people wore black badges and worked in offices supporting Sheikh Hasina,' he said. On Monday, hundreds of government employees briefly locked the secretariat's main gate. The agitating employees gathered near the main entrance around 12:30 pm. During that time, the gate was closed. It was reopened about half an hour later, around 1:00 pm. The protesting employees moved from the gate and gathered in a scattered way across the secretariat premises. The authorities deployed extra police to enforce a vigil against any possible violence at the complex. Also, the protest by employees of the Dhaka South City Corporation, demanding the installation of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as its mayor in line with a court order, has paralysed administrative services. The election commission preferred not to oppose the verdict, but the interim government on Monday challenged the ruling in the High Court to debar Hossain's swearing-in and allow an administrator appointed by the government to discharge the mayor's duties. Meanwhile, the army on Monday came up with a clarification amid reports of discord between the civil and military leadership over the possible timeline for holding the elections and other policy issues related to security affairs, particularly involving a proposed humanitarian corridor to Myanmar's rebel-held Rakhine state. Bangladesh Army's operations director Brigadier General M Nazim-ud-Daula said the military was not at odds with the interim government but was determined to play its role in safeguarding the country's independence and sovereignty. 'We (the government and army) are working to help each other. There is no scope to misinterpret it,' he told reporters. He, however, added that there would be 'no compromise when it comes to the country's independence, security and sovereignty'. Daula added: 'The issue involving the corridor is highly sensitive. For the army, national interest comes first'. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman along with the Navy and Air Force chiefs met Yunus last week and reportedly reiterated their call for election by December this year to allow an elected government to take charge. They also conveyed their reservation about the corridor issue. The next day, Gen Zaman held a senior officers meeting at Dhaka Cantonment and said he was unaware of the government's several strategic decisions despite the military's active role. The military also decided to be tough against rampant incidents of 'mob justice'. 'Bangladesh needs political stability. This is only possible through an elected government, not by unelected decision-makers,' the Daily Star newspaper quoted Zaman as saying during an 'officers' address' in which he delivered a 30-minute speech, followed by more than an hour of questions and answers. According to reports, the army chief also voiced concern about making other decisions without an electoral mandate – including the potential foreign management of Chattogram Port, Bangladesh's main seaport, and the launch of Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service – which he said could compromise national security. A sense of unease has intensified in Bangladesh for the past few days amid protests in the civil administration and business sector over the policies of the Yunus-led interim government. The apex Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries and other business chambers Sunday convened a press conference to review the worrisome situation in the business arena. A prominent business community leader Showkat Aziz Russell told the presser that businessmen were being killed just like the intellectuals in the 1971 Liberation War. He warned of famine-like situation as more people become jobless. 'We don't know how we will pay bonuses and salaries to workers ahead of Eid-ul-Adha,' said Russell, the president of Bangladesh Textiles Mills Association (BTMA). PTI AR ZH ZH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
