[🇧🇩] Reforms carried out by the interim/future Govts.

[Saif]

Tension mounts among govt officers over reform

Administration cadre officials and other cadres are now facing off over the public administration reforms aimed at freeing the civil service from political influence and inter-cadre discrimination and making it more service-oriented.

www.newagebd.net

Tension mounts among govt officers over reform
Sadiqur Rahman 25 December, 2024, 23:54

Bangladesh Administrative Service Association and the BCS Administration Welfare Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited hold a meeting, protesting at the reform of public administration, at the BIAM Foundation Auditorium in Dhaka on Wednesday. | New Age photo

Administration cadre officials and other cadres are now facing off over the public administration reforms aimed at freeing the civil service from political influence and inter-cadre discrimination and making it more service-oriented.

Officials belonging to 25 Bangladesh Civil Service cadres other than the administration cadre have long been pressing for eliminating the discrimination against them regarding promotions and in-service facilities.

The administration cadre officials, meanwhile on Wednesday, announced that they would submit a memorandum to the public administration reform commission today, intensifying the tension in the civil service over its reform as officials of other cadres are scheduled to hold human chains across the country, protesting at what they termed as dominance of the administration cadre in the civil service jobs.

Since the Public Administration Reform Commission disclosed its draft recommendations on December 17, civil servants under the administration cadre and the rest 25 cadres have faced off against each other, claiming their fair shares in the administrative services.

Public administration teacher at Dhaka University, Professor Ferdous Afrina Osman, called the ongoing tension in the civil service as frustrating and observed that dominance of a single cadre was discriminatory.

Saying that promotion in the civil service must be free from political influences, she told New Age that the only way to keep promotion free from political influence was a proper evaluation of the candidates.

‘Only the deserving civil service officials irrespective of the cadre should get promotion,’ she added.

On December 17, the reform commission said for promotion to the rank of deputy secretary it would recommend 50 per cent quota allocation for the administration cadre and 50 per cent for the rest of the 25 cadres.

Currently, for promotion to this rank, the administration cadre enjoys 75 per cent quota and the rest 25 cadres get 25 per cent quota.

The disclosure of the draft recommendations have stirred up discontent among both the administration and other cadres, leading to increased tension among the administration cadre officials and those of other cadres. The administration cadre officials fear that the recommendations, if accepted, will reduce their promotion quota, while officials under the rest 25 cadres think that the recommendations fail to reflect their demand for a merit-based administrative service.

On Wednesday, several hundred present and former officials of the administrative cadre assembled at the BIAM Foundation Auditorium in the capital in a meeting in protest at the commission’s reform proposal. It was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association and the BCS (Administration) Welfare Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.

After the meeting, the officials announced that they would submit a memorandum to the public administration reform commission today, administrative service association member secretary Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman confirmed the matter.

Speakers at the meeting complained that narrowing representation from the administration cadre was a conspiracy to destabilise the country by misdirecting public administration reforms.

Some of the speakers also demanded the resignation of the reform commission chief within 48 hours starting from Wednesday afternoon.

They said that narrowing the administration cadre’s representation would be a violation of a government circular, published on February 10, 1998, which was endorsed by the High Court as legal on February 13, 2002.

Moreover, they termed the application of the quota system in promotion to the deputy secretary rank as a discriminatory practice.

Dhaka district deputy commissioner Tanvir Ahmed told New Age that the administration cadre officials now demanded that the reform commission should recommend the abolition of the quota system and establish the Bangladesh Administrative Service exclusively with the administration cadre officials.

Asked how the civil servants from other cadres would get their promotion of the other cadre officials, Tanvir Ahmed said, ‘Their ranks must be upgraded as per the respective departmental promotion ladders.’

Earlier, on Sunday also, a significant number of administration cadre officials gathered at the Secretariat to press their demand.

On Tuesday, members of the Inter-Cadre Council to Eliminate Discrimination, a platform representing officials from 25 BCS cadres other than administration, staged a protest through a one-hour ‘pen-down strike’ to protest against the administration cadre’s dominance.

The council’s coordinator, Mohammad Mofizur Rahman, told New Age that officials of the 25 cadres would hold a human chain in front of their offices today.

The council is also scheduled to hold a rally in Dhaka on January 4 and has also announced further programmes, Mofizur said.​

 

[Saif]

Labourer sector reform: Informal workers seek recognition

The informal sector labourers, accounting for an overwhelming 85 per cent of the country’s labour force, keep their hopes high that the interim government would fulfil their...

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Labourer sector reform: Informal workers seek recognition
Sadiqur Rahman 25 December, 2024, 23:56

The informal sector labourers, accounting for an overwhelming 85 per cent of the country’s labour force, keep their hopes high that the interim government would fulfil their longstanding demand for inclusion in the formal sector as part of its labour reform initiative.

Labour rights activists believe that the inclusion would usher a watershed moment in the country’s labour rights campaign as it would mark the first step towards ensuring labour rights of the thousands of workers counted so far as informal sector labourers.

The interim government, which replaced the now ousted Sheikh Hasina regime from August 8, has launched a reform campaign in several sectors, labour sector one among them. It has tasked a 10-member labour reform commission, formed on November 18, with submitting its recommendations to the chief adviser within 90 days.

According to the Bangladesh Labour Force Survey 2022, around six crore or 84.9 per cent of the total working population in the country are engaged in informal employment that includes a highly varied range of work.

Most familiar of the informal sector jobs include agriculture labourers, domestic workers, construction and utility sector wage labourers, self-employed workers, including street vendors, hawkers and rickshaw pullers. Informal sector workers sell their cheap labour without any formal contracts with the employers and without any regular benefits.

Rights activists for domestic workers and municipality cleaners, while saying that they are marginalised among the informal workers, demand that the reform commission recommends their due recognition.

‘We eke out a living by selling our labour but we are not valued as workers. We hope that the interim government will recognise our due status,’ said Zakia Sultana, president of Grihakarmi Jatiya Forum, a platform for domestic workers.

The country’s massive 96.6 per cent of 2.48 crore employed women are engaged in informal employment.

Zakia added that informal workers’ long-due demand for recognition remained unheeded because the previous governments did not create any mediums to facilitate the discussion.

‘The labour reform commission is supposed to work as the much-expected media,’ she said.

She further said that domestic workers often avoided being pregnant, fearing job loss. ‘They are not given maternity leave. So when someone gets pregnant and gives birth to babies her plights become endless. In absence of day-care facilities at the slums where they live, mothers of newborns or small children face extreme challenges as they are not allowed to take her children to the employers’ house.’

Domestic workers, particularly those who work as live-in helps, do not have fixed work hours, weekends and standard wages.

Although the Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy was enacted in 2015, it brought hardly any positive impact on the domestic workers’ rights situation as it was not translated into a law.

Municipality cleaners, doing a critical service to keep the environment of cities and municipality towns, also face an increasing level of job insecurity.

Gajan Lal, senior vice president of Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad, a platform of the Dalit community from which many earn livelihood as cleaners of cities and municipality towns, has said that most of the cleaners work on an ad hoc basis, and so can neither bargain on their wage nor demand increment.

‘Moreover, newcomers, mostly from the Muslim community, have made the temporary cleaning jobs more competitive,’ Gajan Lal said.

While talking about increasing livelihood insecurity of vendors and hawkers, Bangladesh Hawkers Union vice president Monzur Moin has said that they are in a constant risk of eviction.

While the authorities regularly run eviction drives, they do not provide alternative livelihood sources to the hawkers, says Moin. Moreover, as their occupation is not formalised, they cannot take their demands to the government in a systematic way.

‘The hawkers as informal sector workers do not have the right to trade union. We expect that the labour sector reform will recognise all engaged in the informal sector to ensure their legal protection,’ the hawker leader said.

Socialist Labour Front president Rajekuzzaman Ratan commended the formation of the labour reform commission as a reflection of the informal workers’ long-due expectations.

‘For the first time in the history of Bangladesh, a reform commission has been formed to address the discrimination in the labour sector. We hope for the best,’ Ratan said.

Recently, the interim government has added 15 new industrial sectors to the existing list of 42 sectors under wage regulations.

The newly included sectors are private clinics, hospitals and diagnostic centres; fertiliser factories; brickfields; private airlines; electric and electronic goods manufacture; ceramics; cement; batteries; poultry; commercial amusement parks; dry fish manufacture;, stone crushing; IT parks; colour and chemical factories; and milk products and dairy farms.

Labour rights activists allege that while some industries, such as type foundry industry, which no longer exist or have become insignificant in the changing economic scenario, are still in the wage regulations list, many new sectors involving significant numbers of workers have yet to find their place in it.

Chief of the labour reform commission, Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed, observes that informal sector workers remain deprived of fundamental rights and social dignity.

‘The commission will highlight all the discriminations that the informal workers are facing. Steps must be taken to ensure their social dignity, security, and humane and sustainable livelihood,’ Sultan said.​

 

[Saif]

Tension mounts among govt officers over reform

Administration cadre officials and other cadres are now facing off over the public administration reforms aimed at freeing the civil service from political influence and inter-cadre discrimination and making it more service-oriented.

www.newagebd.net

Tension mounts among govt officers over reform
Sadiqur Rahman 25 December, 2024, 23:54

Bangladesh Administrative Service Association and the BCS Administration Welfare Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited hold a meeting, protesting at the reform of public administration, at the BIAM Foundation Auditorium in Dhaka on Wednesday. | New Age photo

Administration cadre officials and other cadres are now facing off over the public administration reforms aimed at freeing the civil service from political influence and inter-cadre discrimination and making it more service-oriented.

Officials belonging to 25 Bangladesh Civil Service cadres other than the administration cadre have long been pressing for eliminating the discrimination against them regarding promotions and in-service facilities.

The administration cadre officials, meanwhile on Wednesday, announced that they would submit a memorandum to the public administration reform commission today, intensifying the tension in the civil service over its reform as officials of other cadres are scheduled to hold human chains across the country, protesting at what they termed as dominance of the administration cadre in the civil service jobs.

Since the Public Administration Reform Commission disclosed its draft recommendations on December 17, civil servants under the administration cadre and the rest 25 cadres have faced off against each other, claiming their fair shares in the administrative services.

Public administration teacher at Dhaka University, Professor Ferdous Afrina Osman, called the ongoing tension in the civil service as frustrating and observed that dominance of a single cadre was discriminatory.

Saying that promotion in the civil service must be free from political influences, she told New Age that the only way to keep promotion free from political influence was a proper evaluation of the candidates.

‘Only the deserving civil service officials irrespective of the cadre should get promotion,’ she added.

On December 17, the reform commission said for promotion to the rank of deputy secretary it would recommend 50 per cent quota allocation for the administration cadre and 50 per cent for the rest of the 25 cadres.

Currently, for promotion to this rank, the administration cadre enjoys 75 per cent quota and the rest 25 cadres get 25 per cent quota.

The disclosure of the draft recommendations have stirred up discontent among both the administration and other cadres, leading to increased tension among the administration cadre officials and those of other cadres. The administration cadre officials fear that the recommendations, if accepted, will reduce their promotion quota, while officials under the rest 25 cadres think that the recommendations fail to reflect their demand for a merit-based administrative service.

On Wednesday, several hundred present and former officials of the administrative cadre assembled at the BIAM Foundation Auditorium in the capital in a meeting in protest at the commission’s reform proposal. It was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association and the BCS (Administration) Welfare Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.

After the meeting, the officials announced that they would submit a memorandum to the public administration reform commission today, administrative service association member secretary Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman confirmed the matter.

Speakers at the meeting complained that narrowing representation from the administration cadre was a conspiracy to destabilise the country by misdirecting public administration reforms.

Some of the speakers also demanded the resignation of the reform commission chief within 48 hours starting from Wednesday afternoon.

They said that narrowing the administration cadre’s representation would be a violation of a government circular, published on February 10, 1998, which was endorsed by the High Court as legal on February 13, 2002.

Moreover, they termed the application of the quota system in promotion to the deputy secretary rank as a discriminatory practice.

Dhaka district deputy commissioner Tanvir Ahmed told New Age that the administration cadre officials now demanded that the reform commission should recommend the abolition of the quota system and establish the Bangladesh Administrative Service exclusively with the administration cadre officials.

Asked how the civil servants from other cadres would get their promotion of the other cadre officials, Tanvir Ahmed said, ‘Their ranks must be upgraded as per the respective departmental promotion ladders.’

Earlier, on Sunday also, a significant number of administration cadre officials gathered at the Secretariat to press their demand.

On Tuesday, members of the Inter-Cadre Council to Eliminate Discrimination, a platform representing officials from 25 BCS cadres other than administration, staged a protest through a one-hour ‘pen-down strike’ to protest against the administration cadre’s dominance.

The council’s coordinator, Mohammad Mofizur Rahman, told New Age that officials of the 25 cadres would hold a human chain in front of their offices today.

The council is also scheduled to hold a rally in Dhaka on January 4 and has also announced further programmes, Mofizur said.​

 

[Saif]

Govt to consult with all parties before reforms

The interim government will not make unilateral decisions on the reform commissions’ reports but will finalise decisions through consultations with all political parties, said Adviser Mahfuj Alam yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

Govt to consult with all parties before reforms
Advisers tell dialogue

Photo: Collected

The foundation of the state relies on its institutions. Without robust institutions, the unity of the state is meaningless. If we cannot reform institutions like the Election Commission to serve the people, our efforts will be futile.— Mahfuj Alam

The interim government will not make unilateral decisions on the reform commissions' reports but will finalise decisions through consultations with all political parties, said Adviser Mahfuj Alam yesterday.

"We have been engaging in consistent discussions with political parties. Once the commissions begin presenting their proposals, which we expect from January, broader consultations will occur involving all stakeholders," Mahfuj said at the concluding session of a dialogue organised by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka.

He explained that the consultations would determine the extent of feasible reforms.

Mahfuj said reforms proposed by the political parties' had been largely integrated into the government's initiatives. "The political parties must now sit with us to finalise what reforms are achievable and necessary."

He emphasised the importance of strengthening state institutions. "The foundation of the state relies on its institutions. Without robust institutions, the unity of the state is meaningless. If we cannot reform institutions like the Election Commission to serve the people, our efforts will be futile."

The adviser stressed that reforms must be consensual.

"We need agreement on how much reform is possible and whether a legal framework can ensure that future governments continue these initiatives. Political parties must commit to upholding reforms when in power."

Photo: Collected

The absence of a democratic transition process led to the recent popular uprising that ousted the previous government. People have shed blood repeatedly, yet this issue remains unresolved.— Nahid Islam

Meanwhile, Nahid Islam, adviser to the information and ICT ministries, underscored the need for democratic power transitions to prevent the recurrence of political unrest.

"The absence of a democratic transition process led to the recent popular uprising that ousted the previous government. The people of Bangladesh have shed blood repeatedly, yet this issue remains unresolved."

He called for a framework to institutionalise peaceful and democratic power transitions.

"Our primary agenda is to prevent the return of vindictive politics. This must be addressed before the elections."

Responding to a query about the government's performance, Nahid said, "The public or those outside power can judge better. We are working within limitations, seeking assistance to advance our goals."

Nahid criticised the bureaucracy's misuse under previous governments.

"Bureaucrats gained undue power under the past regime, which was used to establish fascism. This legacy challenges our administrative effectiveness."

He commended the unity achieved during the mass uprising, saying, "This national unity persists on key issues."

He also called for embedding the essence of the July uprising into a new constitution, warning of future disruptions if this is not achieved.

On foreign policy, Nahid stressed the need for consistency.

"Bangladesh's foreign policy has historically shifted with changes in government. We need consensus on economic and trade policies to secure the nation's future."

At the event, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna dismissed debates over "reforms first or elections first" as irrelevant.

"Reforms will always be ongoing, but an interim government is temporary. The focus must be on conducting a free and fair election."

Amar Bangladesh Party Member Secretary Mojibur Rahman Monju said they aim to build a "New Bangladesh" with the help of the youth.

Private University Students Alliance representative Tanjil Mahmud called for engaging students in the reform process.

Supreme Court lawyer Dilruba Shormin urged unity, invoking the sacrifices of the uprising's martyrs.

Gono Odhikar Parishad's Rashed Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami's Hamidur Rahman Azad, Chattogram Hill Tracts representative Ilira Dewan, BNP's Mahidi Amin, and others echoed the need for reform and consensus.

Political scientist Navine Murshid stressed institutional accountability to ensure sustainable change.

The dialogue concluded with a consensus on the importance of inclusive reforms to strengthen democratic governance and national institutions.​

 

[Saif]

Failure to meet expectations will lead to political instability: Rizwana

Emphasising the importance of building a national consensus on reforms, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that public participation is crucial to achieving this goal

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Failure to meet expectations will lead to political instability: Rizwana

Emphasising the importance of building a national consensus on reforms, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that public participation is crucial to achieving this goal.

"If we fail to align with the people's expectations, we will constantly find ourselves in political discomfort and complications," she said.

She was speaking at the first session of the National Dialogue 2024, held under the theme "Unity, Reform, Elections" and titled "Which Path to Unity," at the Krishibid Institution Auditorium in Dhaka yesterday.

The adviser also said that achieving national consensus may require some compromises, and we must be prepared to make them.

She said that unity is essential in various areas, including communal harmony, political reform, and ensuring the inclusion of the younger generation's aspirations in governance.

The adviser remarked that agreement on reforms should not result in treating one another as adversaries. Decisions on what reforms are necessary, who will implement them, how they will be carried out, and within what timeframe must be made.

She stressed that backing down from reforms is not an option, as broad cooperation is needed to ensure public opinion is reflected in these changes. Failure to meet public expectations will lead to repeated political instability and complications.

Addressing the broader responsibility for change, she noted that it is not just the task of an interim government but a collective obligation. Merely drafting reforms on paper will not suffice; these changes must be practised to benefit the public.

Leadership changes alone are not enough without a shift in mindset. We must internalize that leadership is about responsibility, not power, and commit to fulfilling these responsibilities.

She also underscored the importance of public engagement in governance, noting that although the need for reform is widely acknowledged, the path forward remains challenging.

She warned that breaking away from entrenched political norms or eliminating inequalities will not happen overnight. Patience and persistence will be essential.

Rizwana said, "I remain optimistic and hopeful about the youth. Major changes are likely to come from them because they bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. However, change is a process that cannot be achieved solely through new laws. Training ourselves to sustain this process is vital, and both youth and experienced individuals have roles to play."

She concluded by expressing confidence in the government's initiatives and reform commissions, stating that public engagement would follow once commission reports are received.

The chief adviser has also proposed forming a commission to build consensus.

She added that effective reforms would benefit current and future political leaders by clarifying public expectations and ensuring responsive governance. Although the road to unity is challenging, the ultimate goal is to reflect the aspirations of the people.​

 

[Saif]

Those prioritising reforms over polls have evil intentions: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi yesterday alleged that those who prioritise reforms over elections and democracy have evil intentions

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Those prioritising reforms over polls have evil intentions: Rizvi

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. File photo

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi yesterday alleged that those who prioritise reforms over elections and democracy have evil intentions.

"You're separating politics, elections, and democracy while prioritising reforms. That's why it seems to us there's some evil intention behind it. It can't happen," he said at a reunion.

The 1988 SSC batch from across the country arranged the programme at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh.

The BNP leader said that both elections and reforms can go together. "If we talk about elections, the current interim government gets angry and upset. They say they will arrange the election after the reforms."

He said when the government only talks about reforms, it reminds the nation of the rule of Moyeenuddin-Fakhruddin. "They also talked about reforms. As a result, we got a dangerous monster who destroyed Bangladesh and all its democratic institutions over the last 15 years."

Rizvi said an attempt is underway to divide those who have been continuously struggling for democracy and make them opponents of each other. "The interim government, whether knowingly or unknowingly, is going to become an opponent," he said.

He said the interim government and those who advocate for reforms before the election are creating narratives by considering major political parties, who have carried out the struggle for democracy, as their opponents.

"Someone is telling us whether the movement occurred and so many sacrifices were made only for the election. But elections are an integral part of democracy. So, why are you excluding it? Reforms and elections should go together," he said.

Rizvi said the government will present reform proposals, and those who form the government through a free and fair election will implement them. "Instead of doing that, you're creating opponents. You're making elections the opponent of reforms."

The BNP leader said it seems the interim government wants to hold back the election and democracy under the pretext of reform. "Even the Chief Adviser is talking like this. The other advisers are saying, 'We'll reform because you (politicians) couldn't do anything over the last 53 years. Who are you (to do that)?"

Rizvi criticised those advocating for the introduction of a proportional representation system, saying that people will not accept it.

"Those who fear direct popular vote and direct competition, and those who want to fish in troubled water are bringing up this issue," he said.

The BNP leader said people of the country are worried as the fallen anti-democratic forces and their allies are conspiring in various ways, causing one untoward incident after another.

Rizvi spoke about the deadly fire that broke out at the Secretariat, destroying numerous files and documents. "Among them, the file of the most controversial, corrupt former cabinet secretary, who is under investigation, was also burned. It's mysterious. People all over the country are doubting this."

He said the fire incident occurred after the government sought some files related to people close to Sheikh Hasina. "So, this is not an isolated incident. People's doubts are natural."

Rizvi accused the government of failing to overhaul the administration by upholding the spirit of the mass revolution.

He said the DCs, SPs, OCs, and others who joined their offices wearing Mujib coats still remain in their positions. "Why should they help you? They'll try to undermine the interim government through various ploys."​

 

[Saif]

Saboteurs can never be patriotic: Religious adviser

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain today said those engaged in acts of sabotage cannot be considered patriots..“Since the interim government assumed office, it has faced a series of challenges, including efforts to obstruct its journey through conflicts and acts of sabotage,”

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Saboteurs can never be patriotic: Religious adviser

Photo: UNB

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain today said those engaged in acts of sabotage cannot be considered patriots.

"Since the interim government assumed office, it has faced a series of challenges, including efforts to obstruct its journey through conflicts and acts of sabotage," he said while speaking at a memorial event for the late Dr Jamal Nazrul Islam, held at the Jamiatul Ulum Madrasa ground in Chattogram's Lalkhan Bazar.

The adviser noted that nearly five months have passed since the government took charge and during this time, incidents of sabotage have occurred almost every month, including blockades around the Secretariat, incitement of communal tensions and attempts to provoke conflict between hill communities and Bengalis.

He said that even arson was reported at the Secretariat, the nerve center of the administration.

Issuing a stern warning, he emphasised that saboteurs will face no leniency. "A high-profile investigation committee has already been formed to probe the arson at the Secretariat. Strict legal action will be taken against those found guilty," he said.

Recalling the contributions of Dr Jamal Nazrul Islam, the adviser described him as a humble, virtuous, and straightforward individual who was deeply devoted to the madrasa.

"He donated 30 acres of land to establish Jamiatul Ulum Lalkhan Bazar Madrasa, a contribution that will be remembered forever," he said.

Highlighting Jamal Nazrul Islam's patriotism, he noted that the late scholar left a high-paying job at Cambridge University to return to Bangladesh, accepting a modest salary as a mathematics professor at Chattogram University.

The event was presided over by Mufti Muhammad Izharul Islam Chowdhury, founder and director-general of Jamiatul Ulum Madrasa while Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain inaugurated the program.

Special guests included Syed Reza Mir Mohammadi, cultural counselor at the Iranian Embassy and Dr Mohammad Yahia Akhtar, vice-chancellor of Chattogram University.​