Government employees to go on compulsory retirement if they protest

If a government employee obstructs the work of another government employee by protesting or preventing him from working, he can be dismissed from service or given compulsory retirement. This has been stated in the gazette of the ‘Government Employment (Second Amendment) Ordinance 2025’ signed by Dr. Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, published on Wednesday (July 24) night. Disobeying the ‘legal order’ of the government has been mentioned as ‘misconduct causing obstruction in government work’. Section 37 of the amended ordinance, ‘Special provisions regarding conduct and punishment of government employees’, states that if a government employee disobeys the lawful order of his superior, disobeys any order, circular and directive of the government without legal reason or obstructs its implementation or incites any other government employee to do these things, then it will be considered ‘misconduct’ causing obstruction in government work. Absent or absent from work together with other government employees without leave or reasonable cause, or obstructing other employees from working, will also be considered ‘misconduct’. The punishment for such misconduct can be demotion of government employees to a lower rank or lower pay grade, compulsory retirement, or even dismissal from service. In addition, the notification has made provision for the formation of a three-member investigation committee instead of one member to ensure punishment. It has been made mandatory to have a woman member in the committee. There is also an opportunity for self-defense. However, unlike the previous ordinance, the amended ordinance does not provide for the opportunity to appeal against the President’s order.