Dhaka, June 23 (V7N) – Employees at the Bangladesh Secretariat will observe a two-hour work stoppage on Monday in protest against the newly passed Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. The announcement was made by leaders of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum during a protest rally in front of the Ministry of Finance on Sunday.

Beginning around 11:30 AM on Sunday, Secretariat staff gathered in front of Building 11 to begin the demonstration. Protesters marched through various sections of the Secretariat complex, chanting slogans such as “We reject illegal black laws,” “Accept our demands now,” “No room for discrimination in golden Bengal,” and “No compromise, only struggle.” Many also called for unity among government employees nationwide to resist what they termed as repressive legislation.

Badiul Kabir To the media, co-chairman of the Unity Forum, stated that employees will stage a sit-in at the Secretariat Central Library—located in the Ministry of Public Administration—from 11 AM to 1 PM on Monday. During this time, they will also hold discussions to determine the next phase of their protest movement.

The protest stems from dissatisfaction with a government ordinance passed on May 25, which the employees argue undermines their job security and benefits. Secretariat employees initially took to the streets on May 24, following the ordinance’s approval by the advisory council on May 22. Although the ordinance was enacted just before the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, protests resumed immediately after government offices reopened.

Demonstrators insist that unless the ordinance is repealed, larger and more prolonged protests could follow in the coming days.

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