Employees to abstain from work for an hour every day until scrapped

Government officers and employees will observe a one-hour work abstention every day from today (Thursday) until the Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 is repealed.

The work abstention programme will be observed from 10 am to 11 am every day, said Badiul Kabir, Co-chairman of Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum while speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on Wednesday, reports UNB.

"We have received what could be termed a green signal regarding the complete withdrawal of this unjust and oppressive ordinance and we hope the outcome of ongoing discussions will satisfy the employees," he said.

The matter has already reached the higher levels of government and is currently under review, with officials becoming increasingly aware of the negative consequences of the ordinance, he added.

"Following our meeting with seven secretaries yesterday, they have held meaningful discussions with the Cabinet Secretary on Wednesday. While they didn't state anything explicitly, we can interpret the direction, hopefully, the Cabinet Secretary will convey something positive for us."

He also urged fellow employees to remain patient until Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus returns from his Japan trip on May 31, expressing optimism for a peaceful resolution.

The work abstention programme will be observed across the Secretariat and extended to all field offices, including departments, directorates, deputy commissioners' offices and divisional commissioners' offices from 10 am to 11 am daily until further notice, he said. He also urged employees in essential services, particularly hospitals and budget-related departments, to keep their work abstention to a minimum.

"If you can limit your pause to 30 minutes or even less to ensure uninterrupted service to the public, we request you to consider it," he said.

Senior Secretary of the Land Ministry ASM Saleh Ahmed on Wednesday said the decision to repeal the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance-2025 will be finalised once Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus returns from Japan.

"Once the Chief Adviser is back home, the Cabinet Secretary will place the issue before him," he told reporters at the Secretariat.