The government health workers went on strike for an indefinite period from Thursday (November 26) to realise their three-point demand, including a solution to salary discrimination.
Their two other demands are promotion of all health inspectors, assistant health inspectors and health assistants from grade 16 to grades 11, 12 and 13 and changing the recruitment rules. As a result of the strike, the routine vaccination programmes and the measles-rubella campaign slated for December 5 have now become uncertain.
The health workers observed the strike across the country, including Shariatpur, Noakhali and Bogura.
In Shariatpur, the health inspectors, assistant health inspectors and health assistants of Health Department observed the strike Vedorganj upazila in the district from 8:00 am to 2.30 pm, reports our Shariatpur Correspondent.
At the time they said that, “Health assistants and health inspectors are working to ensure health services at the field level. But still they are neglected, deprived and victims of extreme discrimination.”
They added, “Bangladesh is a global role model in the field of vaccination and the health workers are working hard to maintain that. Therefore, the movement will continue till the implementation of the 3-point demand including the elimination of salary inequality by amending the recruitment rules”.
Convener of Vedorganj unit of the 3 point demand implementation committee Md. Fazlur Rahman, President of Vedorganj Branch of Bangladesh Health Assistants Association Md. Mizanur Rahman and others were present in the programme. Later, a memorandum was handed over to the Director General of Shariatpur Health Department.
In Noakhali, the health workers observed the strike demanding change of recruitment rules, technical status including salary upgradation and pay scale at 10 am in the Zila Parishad premises, reports our Noakhali Correspondent.
The health workers started chanting their demands keeping various medical supplies in front of them. The informed that the movement will continue till their demand is fulfilled.
Uttam Kumar Aich convener of the Demand Implementation Committee and Masudur Rahman, District President of the Health Assistants Association spoke among others at the programme.
The strike is being observed indefinitely in 9 upazilas of Noakhali under the banner of Health Assistants Association and Health Inspectors Association.
In Bogura, members of Bangladesh Health Assistants Association started the strike in all 12 upazilas of the district according to the programme announced by the central committee of the organization, reports our Bogura Correspondent.
The strike was observed at the office premises of Sadar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer from morning onwards at the initiative of Bogra Sadar Upazila Branch of Bangladesh Health Assistants Association.
Azam Uddin, district president of the organization, Masud Rabbani, convener of the district demand implementation committee, Raushnara Begum, health assistant and others spoke on the occasion among others.
In Pabna, health assistants working at Santhia Upazila in the district observed the strike in front of the Upazila Health Complex demanding implementation of their various demands. They said they would observe the strike until their demands are met, reports our Santhia Correspondent.
The vaccination heroes are holding a break in front of the Upazila Hospital with banners of various demands organized by Bangladesh Health Assistants Association Santhia Upazila Branch. Health inspectors, assistant health inspectors and health assistants demanded that the recruitment rules be amended, pay inequality be resolved and that pay grade be improved from 16th to 11th, 12th and 13th
Although the technical status of health assistants was announced on December 6, 1997, it has not been implemented even today. Bangladesh Health Assistants Association Santhia Upazila unit President Golam Mostafa presided over the function under the chairmanship of General Secretary Hafizur Rahman Arif. While Mokshed Ali, Rashedul Islam, Nazma Haque, Mohsina Khatun, Lutfar Nesha and others spoke at the time.
