Government employees continued their protests for the fourth straight day on Tuesday, demanding the repeal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance-2025, bringing administrative activities at the Secretariat to a halt as visitors were barred from entering, reports UNB.
The protest began around 11:00 am near Building No-6 in the Badamtoli area of the Secretariat, amid tightened security at all entrances.
Journalists were also barred from entering the premises.
The protest was ongoing as of the filing of this report at 12:10 pm.
The protesters, calling the ordinance an "unlawful black law," continued chanting slogans rejecting its legitimacy.
They urged co-workers who have not yet joined the movement to take part in the demonstration.
Protesters marched with 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 it," "Unite 18 lakh workers," and "No compromise, only struggle."
On Monday, the Public Security Division of the Home Ministry restricted all types of visitor entry to the Secretariat for Tuesday.
Additionally, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) imposed restrictions on rallies and gatherings in the Secretariat and surrounding areas.
The ordinance, issued by the President on Sunday evening, allows the government to dismiss employees for four types of disciplinary breaches through a show-cause notice, without initiating formal departmental proceedings.
Following the approval of the draft law by the Council of Advisers on May 22, Secretariat employees began staging protests, calling the law unjust and unconstitutional.
On Sunday, all employee organisations at the Secretariat vowed to continue their movement until the law is withdrawn.
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