More than five decades after Bangladesh’s independence, thousands of Extra Departmental (ED) employees of the government postal service are still waiting for official recognition as departmental staff.
Their long-standing grievances have now spilled over into a nationwide strike, disrupting mail delivery and causing inconvenience for customers awaiting important documents.
Since July 6, ED employees across the country, including around 300 workers in Jhenaidah district, have been observing an indefinite work stoppage, demanding higher pay and recognition as regular departmental employees.
The protest has effectively crippled operations at branch post offices, particularly in rural areas where ED workers form the backbone of postal services.
As part of their movement, the employees have submitted memorandums addressed to the Prime Minister through Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), warning that the strike will continue until their demands are met.
According to the protesters, nearly 23,021 ED employees are serving at 8,543 branch post offices across Bangladesh including around 300 workers at 104 branch post offices in Jhenaidah.
“We have been victims of discrimination for years,” said Ripon Hossain, postmaster of Gopalpur Branch Post Office and one of the protesters.
He said the then government had promised to increase their allowances in 2018 following earlier protests, but the commitment has remained unfulfilled even after eight years.
“We do not receive festival allowances or Eid bonuses either. With today’s cost of living, it is impossible to support a family on such meagre earnings,” he said.
Currently, an ED branch postmaster receives a monthly allowance of Tk 4,460, while EDDA peons receive Tk 4,354, EDMC runners Tk 4,177 and ED night guards only Tk 4,000.
The prolonged strike has left customers struggling to access postal services.
Mizanur Rahman, who visited the post office to collect important employment-related documents, said he had been returning for several days without success.
“I was told the employees are on strike and no services are being provided. If my documents do not arrive on time, I could face serious problems,” he said.
Postal authorities acknowledged that the strike has severely affected service delivery.
Riazul Islam, Postmaster of Jhenaidah Head Post Office, said postal services in rural areas have been disrupted because of the work stoppage.
“We are trying to ensure the delivery of highly urgent documents such as land records, appointment letters and court papers through alternative arrangements wherever possible,” he said.
He added that higher authorities are aware of the hardships faced by ED employees and that the issue is now awaiting a policy decision at the central level.