Bangladesh interim government on Sunday promulgated the ‘Government Service (amendment) Ordinance 2025’ in a gazette, introducing stricter disciplinary measures for government employees.
The law ministry published the ordinance amending the 2018 Government Service Act amid protests by the employees of the secretariat against the new ordinance.
The ordinance allows hasty disciplinary action against government employees without formal departmental proceedings.
According to the new ordinance, government employees will receive a show-cause notice within seven days of an allegation being filed.
If any employee is found guilty, they will receive another seven-day notice asking them to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken.
Following the amendment, employees can be terminated without an opportunity for self-defence for offences such as disrupting discipline, obstructing duties, unauthorised absence, or inciting others to not carry out their duties.
The new government service ordinance also stated that employees cannot appeal the president’s decision to punish them, but may request a review of the order.
Employees of the Bangladesh Secretariat staged protest for the past two days inside the secretariat terming the ordinance as ‘black law’ and ‘repressive’.
Earlier, the ordinance was approved by the advisory council on Thursday, following vetting by the law ministry.