Officials and employees from all ministries working at the Secretariat confined Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed to his office on Wednesday, demanding the introduction of a 20% Secretariat allowance.
The demonstration began around 2:30pm. Witnesses at the scene reported that several hundred non-cadre officials and employees gathered on the third floor of the finance ministry, where the adviser's office is located.
An estimated 300–400 staff members were reportedly chanting slogans through handheld megaphones, blocking both entry and exit to the adviser's office.
A personal officer of a secretary said that the protest was aimed at securing equal treatment for Secretariat employees.
"All categories of officials and employees working at the Secretariat are demanding a 20% Secretariat allowance. Staff of various other offices receive different types of allowances outside the pay scale, but we do not," he said.
As of 4pm, the demonstrators were still stationed outside the adviser's office, continuing to chant slogans pressing for the allowance.
This is not the first time Secretariat officials have resorted to such action. Earlier, they confined the finance adviser while demanding the revival of the ration system for government employees.
On that occasion, the adviser had spoken with the protesters and assured them that their demands would be considered.
According to the Secretariat officials, the government had previously announced the introduction of a dearness allowance for public servants, but it was never implemented.
Subsequently, although a new pay commission was formed, the finance adviser has already stated that the current government will not implement its recommendations, said the officials.
