Ensuring Equity: Digital Payment & Job Security for Outsourced Secretariat Staff
The outsourced employees working at the Bangladesh Secretariat are set to be integrated into a digital payment system to ensure transparency in salary disbursement. Additionally, new safety measures are being introduced to prevent contractors from arbitrarily terminating their employment.
New Policy in the Making
The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has initiated the process of formulating a new policy to address these concerns. Previously, allegations arose regarding delayed or incomplete salary payments to outsourced workers, prompting the formation of an investigative committee to look into the matter.
Findings of the Investigation
According to sources from the investigative committee, contractors often appointed employees based on recommendations from various individuals, reportedly taking bribes ranging from BDT 50,000 to BDT 300,000 in exchange for jobs. Furthermore, many outsourced employees were made to work beyond their designated hours without additional compensation, and their salaries were not paid in full.
Taking these concerns into account, the government is introducing protective measures for these employees. The move to a digital payment system aims to ensure transparency in salary disbursement, while the new policy will include job security provisions to prevent contractors from dismissing workers at will.
