More than a thousand contractual employees, hired during the COVID-19 pandemic, staged a sit-in protest on Sunday in front of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in the capital, demanding the regularisation of their jobs.

The protesters said that despite risking their lives during the pandemic, 1,004 workers now face neglect and uncertainty. “With fears of job termination and exceeding the age limit for new jobs, many of us are on the brink of destitution. We are demanding unconditional job security from the authorities concerned,” they said.

The demonstration, which began at 10:00 am, continued until 12:30 pm.

Jahid Hasan, one of the protesting employees, informed, “Initially, we were hired on a three-month contract. If it had ended then, we would have sought employment elsewhere. However, our contracts were repeatedly extended due to state needs, leaving us in this precarious position.”

“Now, many of us are over the age limit for jobs, and suddenly, 1,004 individuals may become jobless, forced into starvation with our families. The government must provide job assurance for skilled workers like us,” he added.

The protesters presented three demands, including the continuation of employment for COVID-19 pandemic workers beyond 31 December, immediate implementation of the proposed 5th Sector Programme (July 2024–June 2029) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare while retaining all 1,004 employees, and the relaxation of the age limit along with the transfer of these employees to permanent, revenue-funded positions following proper procedures.