A sigh of relief for residents

Upon assurance from government high-ups, employees of 270 municipalities postponed their indefinite strike yesterday. Since July 14, they have been staging a sit-in in front of Jatiya Press Club, demanding arrears and regular payment from state coffers.

The news also came as a relief to residents of the municipalities as the strike had halted civic services and brought immense sufferings to them.

Yesterday, LGRD and Co-operatives Minister Tazul Islam visited the press club and requested them to join work as the country is facing a dengue outbreak and Eid-ul-Azha is imminent.

A protester quoted the minister as saying, “We’re working to ensure that you get your salary regularly.”

At around 12:30pm, the municipality workers called off their demonstrations.

“The minister promised that after the prime minister returns home, our demands will be addressed,” he added. “Upon his assurance, we suspended our strike.”

Over 20,000 employees of 270 municipalities have not received salaries for up to seven years, according to Bangladesh Association of Paurasabha Services (BAPS), the organiser of the protest.

Besides, some 964 retired employees have not received any pensions. The amount of unpaid pension is TK 120 crore.

Like city corporations, municipalities have a host of responsibilities including waste management, protecting public health, lighting the streets, issuing birth or death certificates and trade licenses, and ensuring water supply.

Amid the recent dengue outbreak, services remained suspended at more than 270 municipalities as the employees have been on strike. The strike also fuelled further fear of dengue spread.

Last week, Additional Secretary of Cabinet Division Abdul Gaffar directed all mayors across the country to conduct clean-up campaigns in cities and municipalities to tackle the outbreak.

However, the mayors faced difficulties with their employees on strike in Dhaka, said Rafiqul Islam Kotoal, secretary general of Mayor Association of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, many municipality employees have already started performing their duties in respective areas.

On Friday, Rezaul Karim Swapan, distributor of a company in Lalmonirhat municipality, complained to The Daily Star of garbage mismanagement and water scarcity in his area.

Contacted yesterday, he said, “Workers have already begun cleaning garbage. I hope things will become normal ahead of Eid.”

Rajob Chandra Dash, a resident of Ishwarganj municipality in Mymensingh, welcomed the protesters’ decision. “I feel relieved now,” said Rajob.

He said they had to live amid stench coming from trash bins overflowing with garbage for two weeks. “Hopefully, things will get better now,” he added.