The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Police in the city today intercepted a procession of diploma nurses on way to the Prime Minister's office demanding employment.

Iqbal Hosain Sabuj, secretary of Bekar Diploma Nurses Association, said more than 9,000 trained nurses remained unemployed although post of nurse remained vacant in government hospitals and health complexes.

He blamed the director of Nursing Services for invoking the 1989 rules for recruitment of nurses that ignored seniority and efficiency. The old rules were not followed in recruitment for the last 20 years.

He demanded recruitment based on batches of training, merit and seniority, and cancellation of the notice for recruitment of senior staff nurses, circulated on November 25.

Some 200 jobless nurses after a brief rally at central Shaheed Minar at noon paraded towards the Prime Minister's office. Police halted the procession in front of Fine Arts Institute.