Govt voices concern over REB Protests

The government has expressed deep concern over the ongoing protests by a section of employees of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (REB), accusing them of using the pretext of Palli Bidyut reform to instigate unrest across the country.

In a statement issued today, the Power Division said the Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association, which called for a countrywide work abstention, is not a registered organisation and does not represent any official body of the country's Palli Bidyut officials.

According to the statement, a high-level committee has been formed to review the structural and operational framework of REB and its 80 Palli Bidyut Samitys (PBSs).

The committee is headed by BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Syed Ferhat Anwar and will consult all stakeholders before submitting a report ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.

A separate committee led by an additional secretary of the Power Division is reviewing alleged discrepancies in pay grades and employment status between REB and PBS employees.

This report is expected to be submitted next week.

Addressing demands for the regularisation of casual jobs, the statement said 6,025 employees of Palli Bidyut Samitys have already been regularised since August 6 last year, and the process is ongoing.

It also noted the government has instructed a re-evaluation of disciplinary actions previously taken by the REB, and recent transfers are part of routine administrative procedures.

A group of officials from the 80 Palli Bidyut Samitys has been staging a sit-in protest at the Central Shaheed Minar for the seventh consecutive day.

They announced a countrywide work abstention starting today under the banner of the Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association.

The protesting employees said emergency power supply services would remain unaffected during their programme.

Their demands include a unified service rule for REB and PBSs, removal of the REB chairman, withdrawal of cases filed against dismissed employees and their reinstatement, regularisation of casual jobs, an end to "harassing and punitive transfers", clear working hours and shift schedules, and the formation of an interim board to lead the proposed reforms.