Outsourced workers at Bagerhat 250-bed District Hospital staged a sit-in protest today (1 July), after locking the entrance to the hospital's administrative building, demanding that they be retained in their jobs.

Protesters claimed they had served the hospital for the past two years in accordance with all government rules and regulations but the newly appointed contractor had decided to replace experienced staff with newly recruited employees without providing any valid reason.

Rabiul Hasan Akash, one of the outsourced employees, said the workers had been carrying out their duties in compliance with all hospital regulations. "Since the appointment of the new contractor, efforts have been made to replace us with new recruits," he said, adding that "Government policy clearly states that outsourced workers cannot be removed unless there is evidence of misconduct."

According to Outsourcing Service Procurement Policy 2025, when government institutions sign new outsourcing contracts or renew existing ones, incumbent outsourced workers should not be dismissed without reasonable justification.

Where removal is deemed necessary, the decision must first receive the opinion of the Outsourcing Service Monitoring Committee, it added. Mohammad Al Amin, president of the Bagerhat District chapter of the Outsourcing Employees Unity Council, said that although many of the current employees had been formally appointed around two years ago, some had served the hospital for more than a decade.

"The hospital authorities and patients have been satisfied with our work, yet there appears to be a conspiracy to remove us.

Our only demand is to keep our jobs," he added. According to the document, a total of 66 outsourced workers joined the 250-bed Bagerhat District Hospital on 13 June 2024 under contracts that were due to run until 30 June 2027.

While contacted, hospital Superintendent Dr Asim Kumar Samaddar said the former employees had sought legal remedy and that the hospital would implement whatever order the court issued. "We have asked everyone to remain patient until the court delivers its decision," he said. Under the contract awarded to a newly appointed outsourcing firm, the hospital is expected to recruit 94 outsourced employees.

Appointment letters have already been issued to the new recruits. Despite several attempts, Proprietor Md Saidur Rahman of the newly appointed contractor, HRD & E Agency couldn't be reached.