Outsourced workers at Bagerhat 250-bed District Hospital stage work abstention as 66 face replacement
Workers say they face job losses despite serving the hospital for eight to 10 years
Outsourced workers at Bagerhat 250-bed District Hospital staged a work abstention and formed a human chain today (4 June), alleging that all 66 existing workers may be replaced despite serving the hospital for eight to 10 years.
The protest was held in front of the hospital's main gate around noon. The workers chanted slogans demanding job security, transparency in recruitment and the retention of experienced staff.
The protesters alleged that the new contractor, HRD & E Agency, owned by Md Saidur Rahman, is in the final stages of recruiting new workers following written and viva examinations.
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They said the move could cost all 66 current outsourced workers their jobs, despite the Finance Ministry's outsourcing policy giving priority to experienced workers.
The workers said they are involved in ward services, the emergency department, cleaning and other hospital operations. They warned that replacing all experienced workers at once could disrupt patient care.
Aklima, a cleaning worker, said her family depends on her income.
"I have worked here for nearly 10 years. If we are removed now, we will face serious hardship," she said.
Alamin, a patient's relative, said he waited at the ticket counter from 8am to 12pm but failed to obtain a ticket.
"As a result, we could not consult the doctors. We were deprived of healthcare today," he said, adding that the work abstention by cleaning staff had created an unhygienic environment at the hospital.
Bagerhat Red Crescent General Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Tutul said many important hospital services depend on these workers.
"We want recruitment to be carried out through coordination between existing and newly recruited workers," he said.
Hospital Superintendent Asim Kumar Samaddar said the hospital would recommend to the ministry a recruitment process that would retain experienced workers while allowing new appointments.
Attempts to contact HRD & E Agency owner Md Saidur Rahman were unsuccessful. One mobile phone number was switched off, while calls to another number went unanswered.
