Md. Abu Bakar Siddik, Senior Staff Reporter, Bogura

 A human chain was held in Bogura to press for five demands, including the nationalization of the jobs of approximately 23,000 employees working in about 8,500 branch post offices across the country. The event took place on Wednesday morning (July 15) at Satmatha, the heart of Bogura town. Speakers at the human chain noted that branch post office employees have long been providing various postal services with dedication in the country's remote areas.

In the past, due to underdeveloped rural infrastructure, they delivered state services to people's doorsteps by carrying letters and postal items on foot, by boat, and on bicycles. Yet, despite performing such vital duties, they are today victims of severe discrimination. The speakers alleged that a branch post office employee currently receives a monthly allowance of only 4,460 Taka. They do not receive festival allowances, pensions, or other benefits enjoyed by government employees. Consequently, they are forced to lead a subhuman existence with their families. Many struggle to fulfill basic responsibilities—such as their children's education and marriages—due to financial constraints. They further state that despite submitting memoranda and applications to the government and meeting with relevant authorities on various occasions, no effective resolution has been reached regarding their legitimate demands.  With the aim of building a discrimination-free Bangladesh, they urged the current government to end the long-standing deprivation faced by branch post office employees and to nationalize their jobs. 

A five-point list of demands was put forward during the human chain. These demands include: nationalizing the jobs of branch post office employees on par with staff in other government departments; arranging pensions for employees aged 59 or older in accordance with government regulations; providing an annual festival allowance; and offering employment opportunities to eligible family members of deceased or ailing employees and ensuring all types of leave and other benefits on par with government employees. Following the human chain, the speakers urged the government to take effective measures for the speedy implementation of their five-point demands. At the same time, they warned that if prompt action is not taken to meet these demands, more rigorous programs of action would be announced across the country.