House ratifies ordinances on govt job age, conduct

Parliament yesterday passed two bills ratifying two ordinances -- one determining a maximum age limit of 32 years for entry into government service and the other introducing special provisions concerning the conduct and penalties of government employees.

State Minister for Public Administration Abdul Bari placed the bills: the Government Service (Amendment) Bill and the Bill to Fix the Maximum Age Limit for Direct Recruitment in Government and Autonomous, Statutory Authorities, Public Non-Financial Corporations, and Self-Governed Institutions.

Both were passed by voice vote without discussion, as no amendment proposals were raised.

It took about eight minutes for the bills to be passed. During the voice vote, opposition members were not heard saying either “yes” or “no”.

The Jatiya Sangsad began passing bills to ratify ordinances from yesterday.

Regarding the two bills, the parliamentary special committee tasked with scrutinising 133 ordinances issued by the interim government recommended that the ordinances be approved exactly as they are. With the passage of the bills, four ordinances have now been ratified.

Through the supplementary agenda, members of parliament were informed about the introduction of the two bills. Standing on a point of order, Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman said some bills had been brought under the supplementary agenda.

The special committee has submitted a report on 133 ordinances, some of which have been allowed to lapse. These ordinances are significant and connected to the spirit of July. He said they wanted to discuss the matter in the House.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzman responded by saying that every ordinance would be brought before parliament and there would be opportunities for discussion. He added that the two bills introduced had been unanimously recommended by the special committee for unconditional passage.

AGE LIMIT                       

In the statement of objectives and reasons for the bill, Bari said the ordinance was issued in response to demands to raise the age limit for entry into government service and in recognition of its necessity. It increased the age limit for direct recruitment by two years, setting it at 32.

However, in some recruitment rules, the age limit for entry into government service was set at 33-45, which created complications. To resolve these complexities, the ordinance was further amended in 2025.

The state minister explained that as a constitutional body, Bangladesh Public Service Commission has already issued circulars keeping the maximum age limit for direct recruitment in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) at 32 years, and recruitment is ongoing accordingly. Therefore, it is necessary to turn the ordinance into law.

Under this law, the maximum age limit for entry into all BCS cadres and all non-cadre government jobs will be 32 years. In addition, for direct recruitment to posts in autonomous bodies, statutory authorities, public non-financial corporations, and self-governed institutions, the age limit will also be 32 years.

Government Service Act

In 2025, the interim government amended the Government Service Act and issued an ordinance. Later, another amendment was made through a second ordinance. Keeping those amendments intact, State Minister Bari placed the Government Service (Amendment) Bill-2026 in Parliament.

The bill introduced special provisions regarding the conduct and penalties of government employees. It states that disobeying lawful orders of superiors, failing to comply with government orders, circulars, or directives without legal cause, obstructing their implementation, or inciting other government employees to do so will be considered misconduct.

Collective absence from duty or refusal to work without leave or reasonable cause will also be treated as disruptive misconduct. Preventing any government employee from attending work or performing duties will likewise be deemed misconduct.

For such misconduct, the law provides for demotion to a lower post or pay grade, compulsory retirement, or dismissal from service.