Leaders of the Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS) Anti-Discrimination Movement have postponed their ultimatum of enforcing a nationwide “complete shutdown” following the government’s call for discussions.
Mahfuj Alam, special assistant to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, confirmed that the government had reached out to the protesters, inviting them to sit down and negotiate their demands. In response, the movement has been temporarily suspended.
“We have promised to meet with the government representatives and find a resolution,” said Mahfuj Alam during a press briefing held on October 17.
The employees of the Palli Bidyut Samiti (PBS), however, are now facing a wave of fear, including threats of dismissal, beatings, and lawsuits, despite having withdrawn their protest programme.
In a press statement on Friday, the employee leaders made the allegations.
The turmoil comes in the wake of growing unrest over allegations against the Rural Electrification Board (REB), involving corruption and mismanagement, which led to dissatisfaction among PBS employees since January 2024.
The core of the employees’ grievance lies in REB’s procurement of low-quality electrical goods, fragile infrastructure, and failure to maintain accountability with customers, leading to a deteriorating relationship between the association and its customers. PBS officials accuse REB of massive corruption and financial irregularities, exploiting the PBS, and holding them responsible for REB’s own failures.
Program Withdrawal Amid Arrests and Dismissals
PBS staff, despite these frustrations, continued to ensure uninterrupted power supply while implementing various programs. However, on October 17, 2024, 20 PBS officers were abruptly dismissed by REB without cause, and cases were filed against 10 others, even though no protest actions were ongoing at the time. This sparked outrage among employees, resulting in unexpected power disruptions in several areas.
In response, the Rural Electricity Discrimination Movement declared a 24-hour ultimatum, threatening a “Complete Shutdown” unless REB stopped its retaliatory actions, dropped the false cases, and reversed the dismissal orders.
Intervention Promised, But Arrests Continue
Following assurances from Mahfuz Alam, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, that their demands would be addressed through dialogue, PBS employees withdrew their program. Yet, shortly after, four more officers were dismissed overnight, and misinformation from REB led to further arrests by law enforcement. As of today, several PBS employees have been detained, though the exact number remains unclear.
Fear of Power Supply Disruptions
The escalating pressure on PBS officers and staff has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. Many employees are now reluctant to report to work, fearing further harassment or legal action. This situation puts the continuous supply of electricity at risk, and PBS officials are calling for immediate government intervention to resolve the crisis.
“If this situation persists, the uninterrupted power supply may be jeopardized,” warned the PBS employees’ statement. “We urge the government to take action and ensure that REB’s discriminatory practices are stopped.”
The 45,000 officers and employees of Palli Bidyut Samiti are now appealing to the government for protection and a resolution to the ongoing crisis. Without intervention, they argue, the PBS cannot be held responsible for future disruptions in power supply.
