Economic Reporter :
In Bangladesh there are many public sector corporations, banks and different other business organisations. But in respect of profit earning and paying taxes and revenues Sadharan Bima Corporation has remained unparalleled since its inception in 1973 when all the insurance companies doing non-life general insurance business in newly independent Bangladesh were merged in Sadharan Bima Corporation.
Unlike many public sector corporations SBC has never incurred losses. But believe it or not, SBC has long been carrying on its business with less than half workforce. When there is a requirement of more than 2000 employees it has been carrying on business with only 900 employees at a time when many in the country need jobs.
Demanding permanent appointment, some 250 employees working on daily wage basis in SBC have been abstaining from their duties from the beginning of this month (February) all over Bangladesh. Because of their work abstention many including print media are being affected. Although advertisement bills submitted by newspapers and magazines have been made ready for payment, those have remain pending because of the work abstention.
Recent talks with SBC officials revealed that in place of required 2,600 employees including executives and lower class staff, only 900 employees are permanent. Out of a shortage of 1700 employees the SBC management has recruited some 250 employees to work on daily wage basis. Many of the daily-wage employees draw less than Taka 3,000 per month. They draw wages working for 20 to 23 days a month at the rate of 125 per working day.
For permanent appointment in the SBC, its management has to get approval from the Finance Ministry. No one knows why the SBC management is not recruiting required workforce when there is a vacancy for a lot of aspirants. Is it because of the fault of SBC management or the Ministry of Finance? No one knows.
“Since the employees working on daily wage basis have gone to court to realise their demand the matter has become complicated.
