Officials and employees of the Palli Bidyut Samity on Tuesday rejected the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources' eight-point resolution plan, including the formation of a convening committee, issued earlier in the day in response to their ongoing protests.
Claiming that the steps are mere eyewash, the protesting officials and employees continued their movement for the seventh consecutive day at the Central Shaheed Minar.
Referring to the rejection, the protesters said the proposed measures mentioned in the government’s announcement do not align with their seven-point demands.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Ali Hossain Mohammad Arif Hasan, deputy general manager (DGM) of the Lakshmipur district Palli Bidyut Samity, said: “We reject the notice issued by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources because its content does not correspond with our demands. They still fail to understand that the service codes of the Palli Bidyut Samity and the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board are different.
"The board does not have the authority to transfer employees of the Samity. If the policies are not the same, then the board’s directives are not binding upon Samity employees.”
He added: “The statement also claimed that a committee had previously been formed, which submitted a report to the ministry’s adviser on February 26. However, that report has not yet been published. So, this committee formation is nothing but a farce. We have already clarified our position through a press conference at the protest site.”
Earlier, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said in its official release that the government has observed with concern that certain employees of the Palli Bidyut Samity are attempting to "destabilize" the country on the pretext of reform demands.
The release added that the government has taken note of a press release issued by an unregistered organization called the Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association.
This association does not represent any legitimate organization under the Palli Bidyut Samity, it said, adding that the ongoing protest has no connection with the dedicated officials and employees serving nationwide under the Samity.
The government further said that it is closely monitoring the situation and has taken the following eight measures to resolve the issue:
- A committee has been formed with the vice-chancellor of Brac University as its convener to review the roles and structural reforms of the Palli Bidyut Board and the Palli Bidyut Samity. This committee will finalize a report after consulting all stakeholders before the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, based on which the government will make decisions.
- A separate committee, led by an additional secretary of the Power Division, is working to balance the ranking and status between Board and Samity employees. A directive in this regard will be issued next week. Additionally, officers and staff of the Board have been advised to maintain collegial behavior in communication with Samity employees.
- Disciplinary actions taken against employees of the Samity, who are not involved in subversive activities, will be reconsidered.
- Investigations are ongoing into corruption allegations in procurement, recruitment, and promotion within the Board. If proven true, legal action will be taken against those involved.
- Certain positions in the Samity involve hazardous and emergency services that require age and physical fitness standards. These employees receive additional benefits under Bangladesh’s labour laws, which are recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
- Since August 2024, a total of 6,025 employees of the Palli Bidyut Samity have been regularized, and this process is ongoing within the Board.
- Transfers are a routine matter. Any employee who has served at a post for three years becomes eligible for transfer. Transfers at the Samity level are conducted through their own internal process. Recently, on humanitarian grounds, 3,079 married employee couples who were working in separate locations have been reassigned to the same workplace. Additionally, six deputed employees have already been returned to their original posts, and others are under consideration.
- Lawsuits filed against certain employees were based on specific allegations and are currently sub judice. The courts are independent in considering and deciding these cases, and the accused may be acquitted through legal proceedings.
The government expressed hope that, in view of these measures, the protesting employees would return to their workplaces out of a sense of responsibility and awareness, and refrain from unnecessary gatherings and demonstrations.
The Palli Bidyut Samity officials and employees have been holding sit-ins at the Central Shaheed Minar for the past seven days with a seven-point charter of demands, which includes the resignation of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) chairman, implementation of a unified service code, and an end to oppression.
They have previously held several protest rallies since January last year to press home their demands.
