Palli Bidyut staff announce indefinite leave from Sunday

Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS) officials and employees have announced an indefinite leave from Sunday to press home a four-point demand, raising fears of power disruption across the country.

The announcement came at a press conference organised by the Palli Bidyut Association at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday. Anju Rani Malakar, the association’s assistant office secretary, presented the programme on behalf of the staff.

She alleged that despite repeated assurances from the government, including the formation of committees to resolve the ongoing crisis, the Power Division has failed to implement any measures. Instead, she claimed, those involved in the movement are being subjected to harassment through termination, transfer and other punitive actions.

The association demanded the reinstatement of wrongfully terminated and suspended officials and employees, as well as administrative and legal action against corrupt officials within the Rural Electrification Board (REB).

Their four-point demands are:

1. Company integration and regularisation: Issuing a notification for the integration of REB-PBS or the formation of companies similar to other distribution organisations. Regularising all contractual and irregular staff—including meter readers, messengers, line workers, and billing assistants—restore dismissed employees to their positions, and implement recommendations from committees regarding reinstatement of temporarily suspended or unfairly transferred employees.

2. Reinstatement of unfairly dismissed staff: Cancelling dismissal orders issued from 17 August onwards against employees who were unfairly suspended, dismissed, or transferred, and reinstate them to their previous positions.

3. Line crew work hours and postings: Determining the working hours for line crew engaged in emergency services and reinstate five line crew members who could not attend programmes at the Shaheed Minar during the protest.

4. Action against corrupt officials: Taking administrative measures against corrupt officers and employees of the Palli Bidyut boards in accordance with regulations.