UNB, Narayanganj :
It is difficult to find women in Bangladesh in too many outdoor jobs, a fact that holds particularly true in the transport sector and its ancillaries.
Plana Filling Station in the Kamtal area of Bandar Upazila in Narayanganj is possibly the only filling and refuelling station in the country where the attendants are all women.
UNB correspondents found them generally satisfied with their working conditions while the management expressed their own happiness with the employees’ continuously good performance.
Helena is an operator who works the morning shift in the filling station on Mondays. Sharing her story with UNB, she said “I’ve been working here happily for 9 years. I felt uneasy to work here in the very beginning, but I’ve managed it very quickly for the support of all related to the station.”
Expressing her satisfaction, she added, “Though I’m not very well-paid, I’m enjoying the freedom to work on my own accord as the shifts are flexible. I work here for 8 hours but it’s tough to change schedule for the garment factories or other places according to convenience.”
“I don’t face any awkward situation or offer on duty. All the clients are sometimes surprised to see us in this job. But, their moderate and sincere approach to us inspires all the time,” the girl from Barisal Helana added.
Happy Akhter from Moulvibazar of Sylhet said, “I’ve been working as an operator for a long time. The owner gave quarters for us to stay. And if we work eight hours a day, we can spend the rest of the time with our families.”
Operator Lipi Akhter from Kashinathpur village in Magura district said she has been living this life by working in this filling station for fifteen years. “I can manage my two daughters and one son with my salary.”
She added that they got 60 percent bonus on salary during the Eid and medical allowance when they were ill. The owner takes care of them in distress. They’re happy with it.
Another operator Rikta Akhter from Barakganj of Patuakhali district said she struggled to work here at first but has adapted herself to everything needed for the time. Both Rikta and her husband work together. Her small family can subsist with the salary they get happily.
She also requested the owners to raise their salary in line with the circumstances to enable them to lead their lives more comfortably.
Plana Filling Station owner Saiful Islam said, “The women of our country are neglected in various ways. So, I tried to stand beside them, I’ve been prioritising women to serve at refuelling stations. With the help of all our facilities, the main goal is to stand beside them. We also have a big plan to increase the number of our women employees very soon as their performance is very satisfactory in keeping with the level of our expectation.”
Former Siddhirganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam set up the filling station in Kamtala area of Dhaka-Chittagong highway in 2001.
It is difficult to find women in Bangladesh in too many outdoor jobs, a fact that holds particularly true in the transport sector and its ancillaries.
Plana Filling Station in the Kamtal area of Bandar Upazila in Narayanganj is possibly the only filling and refuelling station in the country where the attendants are all women.
UNB correspondents found them generally satisfied with their working conditions while the management expressed their own happiness with the employees’ continuously good performance.
Helena is an operator who works the morning shift in the filling station on Mondays. Sharing her story with UNB, she said “I’ve been working here happily for 9 years. I felt uneasy to work here in the very beginning, but I’ve managed it very quickly for the support of all related to the station.”
Expressing her satisfaction, she added, “Though I’m not very well-paid, I’m enjoying the freedom to work on my own accord as the shifts are flexible. I work here for 8 hours but it’s tough to change schedule for the garment factories or other places according to convenience.”
“I don’t face any awkward situation or offer on duty. All the clients are sometimes surprised to see us in this job. But, their moderate and sincere approach to us inspires all the time,” the girl from Barisal Helana added.
Happy Akhter from Moulvibazar of Sylhet said, “I’ve been working as an operator for a long time. The owner gave quarters for us to stay. And if we work eight hours a day, we can spend the rest of the time with our families.”
Operator Lipi Akhter from Kashinathpur village in Magura district said she has been living this life by working in this filling station for fifteen years. “I can manage my two daughters and one son with my salary.”
She added that they got 60 percent bonus on salary during the Eid and medical allowance when they were ill. The owner takes care of them in distress. They’re happy with it.
Another operator Rikta Akhter from Barakganj of Patuakhali district said she struggled to work here at first but has adapted herself to everything needed for the time. Both Rikta and her husband work together. Her small family can subsist with the salary they get happily.
She also requested the owners to raise their salary in line with the circumstances to enable them to lead their lives more comfortably.
Plana Filling Station owner Saiful Islam said, “The women of our country are neglected in various ways. So, I tried to stand beside them, I’ve been prioritising women to serve at refuelling stations. With the help of all our facilities, the main goal is to stand beside them. We also have a big plan to increase the number of our women employees very soon as their performance is very satisfactory in keeping with the level of our expectation.”
Former Siddhirganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam set up the filling station in Kamtala area of Dhaka-Chittagong highway in 2001.
