Palli Bidyut workers stand firm on their demands, protest continues amid downpour

Officials and employees of the Palli Bidyut Samiti have been holding a sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka for nine consecutive days, demanding the fulfillment of their seven-point charter. They say they will not back down until their demands are met.

The ongoing protest continued on Thursday (May 29) even amid downpour. The workers carried on their movement by taking shelter under tents made of polythene and tarpaulin.

These workers, who play a vital role in distributing electricity to rural areas of the country, say their movement is a protest against long-standing deprivation.

They have long been demanding the unification of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (REB) and its 80 affiliated cooperatives. Among their seven demands are the implementation of a unified employment policy and the regularization of contract-based and irregular workers.

The Palli Bidyut workers allege that since the beginning of this year, they have been conducting various programs to press home their demands. But instead of being addressed, many workers have lost their jobs for taking part in the protests.

According to the protesters, so far 29 workers have been dismissed, 40 have been temporarily suspended, and more than 6,000 have been transferred away from their home areas. In addition, at least 172 workers have faced legal cases, of whom 17 were arrested and later released on bail.

Many workers are now in hiding for fear of losing their jobs or facing harassment. The protesters say that working under such fear is increasing the risk of accidents while working on power lines. As a result, the electricity supply itself may face serious disruption.

The rural electrification cooperatives across the country provide electricity to 36.8 million consumers, which accounts for about 76 percent of the total electricity consumers in the country. This massive service network is maintained by around 45,000 officers and employees. Therefore, those involved in the sector fear that this protest could seriously affect the rural electricity distribution system.

Several political parties and organizations, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Hefazat, have expressed solidarity with the protesting Palli Bidyut workers.