Dhaka: The outgoing interim government has reinstated 46 dismissed officials and employees of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) run Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS), officials reported today. The reinstatement order was issued by the power division of the energy ministry on February 10 after accepting the applications of the employees.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the employees were previously dismissed for demanding reforms and the removal of discriminatory rules in 2024. Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir instructed the power division to reinstate these employees in their previous positions within the BREB, as confirmed by the Power Division's Deputy Secretary Muhammad Anwar Hossain, who signed the reinstatement order.
The ministry has sent a letter to the BREB chairman to execute the reinstatement order. The employees initially started their movement in January 2024, seeking reforms in the rural electricity sector, the elimination of professional discrimination, and the introduction of a uniform service code. Their activities during the movement included staged programmes, such as sit-ins and work stoppages, which eventually led to their dismissal and the cancellation of their contracts.
The dismissed employees sought reinstatement on humanitarian grounds.