The government is considering suspending the controversial Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, but demonstrators say protests will continue until an official notification is issued.

ABM Abdus Chattar, president of the Government Employees' Unity Forum against Discrimination, made the statement to reporters this morning (May 27), after being barred from entering secretariat in the capital.

Speaking outside the heavily secured complex, Chattar said, “We are protesting against a black law. We are not agitators; we are morally supporting the protest. Yet I was denied entry to the Secretariat. I ask — what crime have I committed?”

The ordinance in question, passed earlier this month, has sparked outrage among public servants for provisions allowing the dismissal of government employees without prior notice. Critics argue it undermines job security and opens the door to political targeting.

“This law did not exist even during the fascist rule of Sheikh Hasina,” Chattar said. “Under this ordinance, the government can sack anyone without warning. This is unacceptable in any civilized democracy.”

He also criticized the continued presence of officials alleged to be loyal to the previous administration, claiming they are undermining the current government. 

“Awami League sympathizers and their affiliates are still occupying top positions. They have no moral right to stay. They are conspiring to sabotage the new administration.”

Chattar said the Unity Forum had deployed senior members to ensure protests remain peaceful and orderly. “We want to avoid any violence. But our stance is firm — we won’t step back without a formal suspension order.”

He added that protests were no longer limited to Dhaka’s Secretariat. “Officials in departments, field-level DC offices, UNO offices, NBR, city corporations, educational institutions, and rural electricity offices across the country are now joining.”

When asked whether the ongoing protests are harming government operations, Chattar placed the blame on internal forces within the administration. 

He said, “Agents have infiltrated the government and are misleading its leadership. That’s what’s causing this crisis — not the employees demanding justice.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, no official government notification of suspension had been issued.

SMS/