Bangladesh’s Civil Servants Threaten Major Protests Over Controversial Law
In a bold move, civil servants in Bangladesh have issued a stern warning to the government, led by Muhammad Yunus, stating that they will launch significant protests if a controversial law is not repealed. On Monday, employees from various government departments submitted a memorandum to two advisors of the interim government, signaling their readiness to escalate their actions following the Eid-ul-Azha festival.
The tension escalated after a protest rally where civil servants delivered their memorandum to local government and youth advisors, Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan and Mahfuz Alam, even though both were absent at the time. The protesters plan to approach the finance advisor, Salehuddin Ahmed, and the legal advisor, Asif Nazirul, with the same demands on Tuesday. This unrest comes on the heels of the interim government’s recent amendments to the Government Service Act of 2018, originally established during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.
On May 22, the interim advisory council approved a draft ordinance to amend the law, igniting a wave of protests among civil servants. The situation intensified further when a notification regarding the new ordinance was issued on May 25, prompting a larger segment of the workforce to join the movement. As the stakes rise, the civil servants are uniting in their call for justice, underscoring the growing discontent within the ranks of Bangladesh’s public sector.
