Harijans demand 80pc jobs of cleaners and sweepers

Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad forms a human chain in front of Manikganj deputy commissioner's office yesterday demanding 80 percent quota for the Harijan community in jobs of cleaners and sweepers at government, semi-government and autonomous organisations including municipalities and city corporations. Photo: STAR

People belonging to Harijan community yesterday formed human chains and held rallies in different districts across the country demanding 80 percent quota for them in jobs of cleaners and sweepers in government, semi-government and autonomous organisations including municipalities and city corporations.
In Chittagong, Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad arranged a human chain programme in front of Chittagong Press Club in observance of the World Dignity Day yesterday.
Addressing a rally at the venue, the speakers alleged that the government, semi-government and autonomous bodies including municipalities and city corporations are recruiting cleaners and sweepers from other communities instead of Harijan community.
They demanded regularisation of their jobs in different institutions, including Chittagong City Corporation (CCC).
They urged the government to ensure 80 percent quota for them in jobs of cleaners and sweepers in government, semi-government and autonomous organisations including municipalities and city corporations.
Later, the Harijans submitted a memorandum to the prime minister through the deputy commissioner.
Our Natore correspondent reported that Harijans formed a human chain and brought out a procession in Natore town yesterday to protest hiring of cleaners and sweepers at government and semi-government and autonomous organisations from other castes.
Around 200 hundred people of Harijan Community of the Natore unit of Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad joined the human chain programme in front of the deputy commissioner's office for an hour from 10:30am.
Addressing a rally at the venue, Natore district unit President of Harijan Oikya Parishad Dipu Mondol said the government and non-government organisations are hiring people from other classes in the jobs of cleaners and sweepers.
He also demanded wage hike of Harijans and urged the government to ensure 80 percent job quota for them.
Later, they submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner.