Staff Reporter :
Medical technologists and pharmacists across the country staged a two-hour work stoppage on Sunday, demanding that their salaries be upgraded to the 10th grade of the national pay scale.
They cautioned that they would enforce a prolonged shutdown of health services if the authorities fail to respond.
Under the banner of the Medical Technologists and Pharmacists 10th Grade Implementation Council, the strike was observed in all hospitals from 9am to 11am.
The organisations warned that if the demand remains unmet, they will launch a full-day shutdown of healthcare operations from December 4.
“We have been pressing for 10th-grade wages for 31 years, yet it still hasn’t been implemented,” said Tushar Ahmed Niloy, head of the council’s media cell.
He said the council issued an ultimatum on November 25, asking the government to address their demand by November 29.
“But since no steps were taken, we were compelled to observe a two-hour work abstention in all hospitals,” he added.
The council also announced a schedule of escalating protest actions over the coming week.
“On December 3, we will go for a half-day strike from 8am to 12pm. If the demand is still ignored, we will enforce a full-day shutdown from December 4, suspending services at all institutions linked to healthcare and medical education,” Tushar said.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Health Assistants Association demonstrated for a second consecutive day in Dhaka, demanding implementation of the 10th grade for their posts along with five other demands. They gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar to press their case.
According to the UNB Kushtia correspondent, technologists and pharmacists in Kushtia also enforced a two-hour work abstention, calling for an end to long-standing pay disparities and for the 10th grade to be applied to their positions.
The strike was observed at Kushtia Medical College Hospital, the 250-bed Kushtia General Hospital, and various health facilities across the district. Hospital services were disrupted, causing considerable hardship for patients seeking care.
Participants also formed a human chain on hospital premises as part of the protest.
Speakers said that while other diploma-level officials nationwide have been upgraded to second-class status, medical technologists and pharmacists continue to face discrimination.
They expressed disappointment that their repeated protests had yielded no response.
“All other diploma-qualified employees enjoy second-class status, yet we are still treated merely as staff. This is outright discrimination.
We urge the government to meet our demands immediately, or we will announce tougher programmes,” said Mohammad Rafiqul Rahman, a diploma pharmacist at Kushtia General Hospital.
Md Sheikh Tarek, a medical technologist at Kushtia Medical College Hospital, added, “The 10th grade is not a privilege-it is our right. The notification must be issued without delay.
Today’s programme was only for two hours, but next time we may opt for a complete shutdown.”
Patients were seen struggling to obtain medicines, with long queues forming at pharmacy counters.
Dr Hossain Imam, Resident Medical Officer of Kushtia General Hospital, said several patients complained in the morning that they could not collect their medicines.
“I later noticed that the staff had put up a work-stoppage banner. This has increased patient suffering.
Many people depend on us for treatment every day. Technologists and pharmacists are essential to hospital operations, and their demands deserve urgent attention,” he said.
He warned that a full shutdown would deprive ordinary people of vital healthcare services and urged the government to take swift, effective action.
