Rajshahi Correspondent:
As part of the central program and as part of an indefinite strike demanding the payment of outstanding salaries and allowances and the governmentization of jobs, the Rajshahi District Branch, Natore Branch, Naogaon Branch and Chapainawabgaj Branch of the Bangladesh Livestock AI (Artificial Insemination) Technician Welfare Association have observed a sit-in today. They have announced to continue this movement and strike until the time is fulfilled.
From 12 noon on Wednesday, the technicians gathered in front of the Rajshahi Divisional Livestock Office with banners and festoons in their hands and demonstrated. At this time, members of the Bangladesh Livestock AI Technician Welfare Association raised various slogans highlighting their long-standing discrimination and inhumane living conditions.
The central leaders of the protesting technicians said that they are working tirelessly day and night to breed and improve the breed of cattle at the field level. Their contribution to achieving self-sufficiency in milk and meat production of the country is undeniable. However, they have not been receiving regular salaries and allowances for a long time. Despite repeatedly informing the higher authorities about the matter, no visible action has been taken.
They said, “We deliver services to the doorsteps of farmers, ignoring the sun and rain. But today our own families are spending their days hungry and half-starved. We have been forced to take to the streets because our backs are against the wall.” This strike of ours is not a hobby movement, it is a fight for survival. Until the administration gives us a specific and written assurance of salary and permanent employment, no artificial insemination services will be provided at the field level.”
They said that despite playing a role in livestock development, they have been working without pay for 30 years. They are living a subhuman life with their families. The leaders said that although they were earlier given an honorarium of 2,000 taka, that too has been stopped. However, in the last financial year, they have deposited about 12 crore taka in the government revenue sector from the development of the livestock sector.
At that time, Bangladesh Livestock AI Technician Welfare Association Rajshahi District President Md. Masud Rana, Naogaon District President Mostaq Ahmed, Natore District President S, M Kaikobad, Chapainawabganj President Hafizur Rahman and other leaders were present.
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