Outcry of 4,200 unemployed LSPs

Members of the Bangladesh LSP Unity Family continued their hunger strike and sit-in protest in front of the National Press Club on Friday, demanding permanent employment for around 4,200 Livestock Service Providers (LSPs) who lost their jobs after the closure of the Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP).

The protesters said they had worked under the LDDP for more than seven years, providing livestock services to farmers across the country. They claimed their work helped increase the production of milk, meat and eggs, strengthen vaccination programmes for animals and establish around 6,500 producer group (PG) associations.

According to the protesters, despite the availability of funds, about 4,200 LSPs were dismissed on March 31, 2026, before the project officially ended on June 30. They said the job losses have left thousands of workers and their families facing financial hardship.

In an open letter addressed to the Chief Adviser, the LSPs appealed for permanent employment on a union basis. They said they had been serving farmers in remote areas by providing primary treatment for livestock, vaccination, technical advice and support for government livestock programmes. They argued that their experience and contribution should be recognised through stable government employment.

The protesters said they had already held three press conferences and nine human chains and sit-in programmes at the National Press Club and the Department of Livestock Services, but no effective action had been taken.