SDF officers and employees hold a human chain over employment tenure

Officers and employees of the Social Development Foundation (SDF) held a human chain and sit-in protest in Pirojpur, demanding the fulfillment of four key demands, including the extension of their employment tenure, job security, and the establishment of their legitimate rights.

The protest, organized by the district branch of the 'SDF Officers and Employees Unity Council,' took place on Sunday (November 8) at 10:30 AM in front of the SDF Pirojpur district office. Staff members from various levels of the organization, including those associated with the RELI (Resilience, Entrepreneurship, and Livelihood Improvement) project participated in the event.

Speakers at the event included Cluster Officer and Pirojpur District Coordinator Md. Aminul Islam, Cluster Officer Md. Zahir Khan, and Data Entry Operator Md. Kamruzzaman Tipu, among others.

During the human chain, the speakers stated that SDF staff has long been working with dedication, honesty, and sincerity to foster the socio-economic development of the rural poor and marginalized communities. 

Despite their significant contributions, through their labor, talent, and sacrifices, to the advancement of the organization, their professional future now faces uncertainty. This has left both the employees and their families in a state of anxiety and insecurity.

The speakers emphasized that they are not seeking charity; rather, they are demanding their legitimate rights and job security. Their four-point demand includes: ensuring the extension of employment tenure beyond November 28, 2026; halting administrative harassment against those participating in the movement and preventing any retaliatory terminations; and securing allocations for new projects to facilitate the direct recruitment, without the need for further examinations, of both current staff and those previously phased out from the RELI and other project-based roles.

Furthermore, they declared that if these demands are not met, they will call for the resignation of the SDF Chairman and the Managing Director.

Md. Aminul Islam and Zahir Mahmud Khan, coordinators of the SDF Officers and Employees Unity Council, stated that this movement is not driven by personal interests; rather, it is a struggle to safeguard the careers, family security, and future of thousands of officers and employees. They are not against the organization; rather, they wish to remain associated with it while ensuring fair rights and a dignified future for the employees. Their united and peaceful movement will continue until their demands are met.

The program included an appeal for urgent intervention from the Prime Minister and other relevant authorities to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of SDF officers and staff, as well as the security of their families.

-    ZHF/NS