The government has issued a new ordinance amending the Government Service Act, 2018, introducing stricter disciplinary measures for government employees amid continuous protests.
The law ministry published the ordinance on Sunday night, as Secretariat employees have been protesting the enactment of the ordinance.
Key provisions of the ordinance
The ordinance allows swift disciplinary action against government employees without formal departmental proceedings.
Employees will receive a show-cause notice within seven days of an allegation being filed.
If found guilty, they will receive another seven-day notice asking them to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken.
After this amendment, employees can be terminated without an opportunity for self-defence for offences such as disrupting discipline, obstructing duties, unauthorised absence, or inciting others to not carry out their duties.
The ordinance also says that employees cannot appeal the president's decision to punish them, but may request a review of the order.
In protest against the implementation of this ordinance, Secretariat employees staged strikes for the last two days.
The ordinance was approved by the advisory council on Thursday, following vetting by the law ministry.
