Photo : Collected
Extreme unrest is ongoing in Biman Bangladesh Airlines, also known as Biman. Demands have risen for the resignation of officials who came on deputation from various ministries, including the Managing Director (MD) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Additionally, employees in helper positions in Biman are protesting to make their jobs permanent. This movement began after the fall of the Awami League government in the recent anti-discrimination student movement.
On Monday, employees from various departments of Biman also protested. Extreme unrest has started surrounding this ongoing movement. In fear, officials who came on deputation, including those alleged to be involved in massive irregularities in Biman during the previous Awami League government, are not coming to the office.
Protesting Biman officials and employees allege that the officials who came on deputation to Biman Bangladesh Airlines seem to be all-powerful. Even without any experience working in Biman, they have sole control over all important positions in this state institution. Because promotions and postings are in their hands, the native employees have been oppressed, persecuted, and frustrated for a long time. A kind of resentment has also been created among the employees due to bureaucratic complications. Even when the minister himself directs to appoint qualified people to appropriate positions, it is not implemented due to this 'invisible' influential syndicate. As the previous government has fallen, the general officials and employees no longer want to see those appointed by that government in Biman.
They allege that during the previous government, former Biman Chairman Sajjadul Hasan had recommended not bringing admin cadre officers on deputation to Biman and instead appointing experienced individuals to important positions to make Biman a dynamic and profitable organization. But not only was his word not kept, but these officers virtually monopolized all policy-making and important responsibilities of Biman. It's rare in Biman for one person to become a director of two important institutions within just two months of coming on deputation in May-June, but it's currently ongoing. Meanwhile, experienced officers who have worked in Biman for a long time have been deprived by not being given suitable positions. He was appointed after the departure of former Managing Director Shafiul Azim and the joining of new Managing Director Zahidul Islam Bhuiyan.
Biman's own officials are saying that the admin cadre officers are the 'black cats' (influentials) of Biman. Giving Hayat Ud-Daula Khan two important positions implies that Biman doesn't have its own experienced people. However, there are employees here with 25 to 30 years of experience and qualifications who are dedicated to Biman heart and soul. Giving such positions within just two months of joining the job has created quite a sensation.
The Biman officials and employees say that previously he (Hayat Ud-Daula Khan) was the DC of Brahmanbaria and Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. There are also allegations of corruption against him. How logical it is to bring such a person to an important position in Biman is questionable. They claim that employees in other departments are in a miserable state due to the influence of his invisible hand.
They reveal that soon after Motiul Islam Chowdhury took charge as Director Admin, he removed Bosra Islam from the position of General Manager Administration. He brought in another admin cadre officer, ABM Roshan Kabir, to that position. And Bosra Islam was transferred to the General Manager Public Relations branch. This also created widespread resentment.
They say that employees who have been victims of long-term deprivation are now fuming. Officers who were sycophants during the previous government must be removed. Admin cadre officers should be removed, and Biman's own experienced and talented officers should be appointed to appropriate positions. Their movement will continue until this issue is resolved.
On the other hand, it has been learned that among the demands of the protesters, the deducted money from the Corona period and the demand for making temporary employees permanent have been accepted.
Messenger/Fameema
