The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our's is a very poor country. Most of our people earn a pittance for their day long labour to feed themselves and their family members with simple rice and lentil.

On the contrary the case of our government employees is extraordinary and exceptional. Whether they work or not they get their full pay and allowance at the end of the month. They do not attend their duty more than eight hours a day. If they do they are paid extra sum of money as overtime alliance or honorarium. They do not only enjoy two days weekly holiday but also their earned leave, medical leave, recreation leave, general holidays, holidays etc.

The government employees are paid from the public exchequer. But the members of public face many problems and difficulties, their normal and urgent works suffer and inordinately delayed because of closure of all government offices, public sector corporations, semi-govt and autonomous organisations, banks, hospitals, post offices Judicial courts and many other govt. establishments continuously for two days on Friday and Saturday.

However, the employees of all private offices, organisations, factories, mills and newspaper offices are allowed holiday once in a week.

Why this discrimination between government and private employees?

We ask our authorities concerned why there is not an uniform level of socio-economic development, equal opportunity, equality between man and man and equitable distribution of wealth in our country?

We suggest that like private employees the government employees may be granted weekly holiday once in a week either on Friday or Sunday.

However, all educational institutions, schools, colleges and universities as a special and discretionary grant may the allowed two days weekly holiday on Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday for their sports and games, rest and recreation and tourism of our children.

O.H. Kabir

Dhaka-1203