Government employees at the Secretariat staged a procession and sit-in on Thursday, demanding the cancellation of the recently issued Public Service Ordinance.
The demonstration began around 11:15 AM as employees gathered in front of Building No. 6 and marched toward the Cabinet Division.
After holding a brief rally there, they continued to Building No. 4, where they began their sit-in protest.
Employee leaders plan to engage in direct outreach with officials and employees working in Building No. 4 to further their campaign.
The protest stems from a government ordinance issued on May 25, which allows the termination of public servants for four types of disciplinary offenses without formal departmental proceedings, based solely on a show-cause notice.
Secretariat employees have been opposing the draft of this ordinance even before it was officially enacted.
Following the ordinance’s issuance, the employees organized unprecedented demonstrations and rallies inside the Secretariat and observed one-hour work stoppages on several occasions.
They also submitted memoranda to senior advisors of the government.
After discussions with employee representatives, a group of secretaries led by the Land Secretary informed the Cabinet Secretary of the employees` demands. The Cabinet Secretary subsequently briefed the Chief Advisor on the issue.
On June 4, the government formed a review committee, headed by the Legal Advisor, to re-examine the ordinance.
The committee has not yet submitted its report. In the meantime, Secretariat employees continue their movement and are preparing for further outreach and campaign activities.
