Govt to sit with protesting employees at Secretariat 

Officers and employees have continued their protests at the Bangladesh Secretariat for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday (May 27), demanding the withdrawal of the Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. 

In this turbulent situation, the government is going to hold talks with the protesting employees on Tuesday afternoon. At the same time, an initiative has been taken to form a 13-member committee to review the ordinance.

According to sources in the Ministry of Public Administration and the Cabinet Division, the committee will be headed by Law and Justice Division Secretary Sheikh Abu Taher. The committee will include seven important government secretaries and three representatives from the agitating employees.

Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid held an emergency meeting at the Secretariat in the morning, where top government officials were present.

Sources said the government is trying to find out a compromise through negotiations as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Senior Secretary of the Land Ministry ASM Saleh Ahmed invited the employee leaders to a meeting at 2:30 pm. Seven more secretaries attended the meeting.

The protest began around 11am near Building No 6 in the Badamtoli area of the Secretariat at all entrances. 

During the protests, the entire Secretariat area was abuzz with various slogans such as “The fire has been lit in our blood,” “Abolish the unlawful black law, employees reject this illegal law,” “We will not accept this illegal law,” “Unite 18 lakh workers,” and “No compromise, only struggle.” 

Following the demonstrations for the withdrawal of the Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, security measures have been beefed up at the Bangladesh Secretariat. 

Army personnel have been deployed around the administrative complex. Members of SWAT and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have also been brought in. Regular security forces, including the Armed Police Battalion, police, and Ansar personnel, have been reinforced.