Local extension agents for fisheries demand nationalisation of jobs

Local extension agents for fisheries (LEAF) have pressed home their five-point demands, including the nationalisation of their jobs under the Expansion of Fisheries Technology Service at Union Level (Phase II) Project.

Speaking at a human chain organised by the Bangladesh LEAF Unity Welfare Council in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday, its President Md Rafiqul Islam Belal said, "We supply a large portion of the fish produced in the country.

"Bangladesh is now the third largest inland fish producer in the world. So, it is now embarrassing for the state to ignore the LEAFs. We seek realisation of our demands as soon as possible."

President of the organisation's Dhaka Division, Kazi Jasimuddin said, "We are getting a token salary, which is not humane in any way. We must get our salary under the 19th and 20th grades of the wage board."

At the event, speakers also urged Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim to accept their five-point demand.

The other three demands pressed by the Bangladesh LEAF Unity Welfare Council are – creating positions in the union level and appointing LEAFs there, giving each LEAF a place to sit and work in their own union parishads, and making advanced training available to them.

The programme was presided over by the organisation's President Md Rafiqul Islam and moderated by General Secretary Md Abdur Rahman. Representatives from different regions also spoke at the event.