The government has issued the Government Job (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 amid ongoing protests by officers and employees at the Secretariat.

The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued the ordinance on Sunday (May 25).

The ordinance states that it is appropriate and necessary to further amend the Government Job Act, 2018, and that the situation calls for immediate action as Parliament remains dissolved. Therefore, the President has promulgated the ordinance under Article 93(1) of the Constitution.

A new provision has been added after Section 37 of the 2018 Act. It introduces special rules on misconduct and punishment for government employees.

Under the ordinance, a government employee will be considered guilty of misconduct if they:
(a) Engage in acts of disobedience or encourage others to do the same;
(b) remain absent or fail to perform duties without leave or valid reason;
(c) Incite others to abstain from duty;
(d) Obstruct others from attending work or doing their duties.

Such misconduct may lead to demotion, removal, or dismissal from service.

If action is taken against an employee, the authority must issue a show-cause notice within seven working days, giving the accused the chance to explain or request a hearing.

If the accused fails to respond or is found guilty after a hearing, the authority may impose the proposed punishment. Proper notification methods include personal delivery, posting at residence, newspaper publication, or email.

Employees may appeal a decision within 30 working days under Section 34. However, orders issued by the President cannot be appealed. A punished employee may, however, request reconsideration from the President within the same time frame.

The ordinance has come into immediate effect.

Earlier, on May 22, the 29th meeting of the Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, approved the draft of the ordinance.

The Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Council has labelled the ordinance a "black law" and vowed to continue protests until it is withdrawn.

MSK/