Bangladesh Rural Power Employees Initiate Extra-Hour Work Program Amid Dispute Over Working Conditions
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Approximately 46,000 employees across 80 rural electricity cooperatives in Bangladesh have announced a campaign to work one additional hour daily to protest long-standing grievances and systemic disparities within the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB). The initiative, which begins Sunday and runs through June 30, aims to boost service delivery and revenue collection while demonstrating solidarity with national energy-saving efforts.
According to a press statement issued by the Bangladesh Rural Power Association, the extra work hours are expected to contribute approximately 782,000 additional man-hours toward national utility services. The decision, finalized during a virtual meeting on June 11, intends to ensure uninterrupted power supply, enhance customer support, improve overdue bill collection, and strengthen field-level oversight.
The association has been advocating for substantive reforms regarding its professional relationship with the BREB since early 2024. Despite the government forming multiple committees to address these concerns and receiving formal recommendations for resolution, the employees contend that progress remains stalled. The association noted that while the court has cleared individuals previously charged with sedition related to their advocacy, other administrative directives remain unfulfilled.
Specifically, the organization alleges that orders issued by the Power Division to withdraw punitive actions against staff by December 2025 and to reinstate 46 terminated employees by February 2026 have yet to be implemented.
The association is now urging the Power Division to expedite the enforcement of all pending recommendations. Representatives argue that a fair resolution to these internal conflicts is essential for improving the efficacy of the nation’s rural electricity infrastructure and increasing overall customer satisfaction.
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