Sylhet, Oct 09 (V7N) – At least 141 security workers who had reportedly served at Jalalabad Chevron Gas Field in Sylhet for 30 to 35 years have protested their sudden dismissal, alleging they were given only one day’s notice and have yet to receive their outstanding salaries and benefits.
The affected workers began a sit-in at Chevron Bangladesh’s office in Sylhet on Thursday morning, demanding reinstatement and payment of all outstanding dues.
According to the workers, they had continued serving at the JB location of Jalalabad Chevron Gas Field in the Lakatura area of Sylhet city for decades, despite changes in the contractor companies responsible for security services.
They were most recently employed under Sentry Security Services Limited. The workers said they were informed that the company’s contract would end on October 7 and that G4S would take over as the new security contractor.
They alleged that G4S decided to replace all 141 experienced security workers with its own recruits, leaving them without jobs despite their long service.
The workers said they were even willing to continue working for Tk 3,000 to Tk 4,000 less per month than their previous salaries to support their families. However, they alleged that they were not given the opportunity to continue in their positions.
The sudden decision has left 141 families facing financial uncertainty, according to the protesters.
The affected workers said they had submitted memorandums to the district administration, police commissioner, relevant police stations and other government agencies, seeking intervention.
They also said local elected representatives and community leaders had expressed support for retaining the experienced workers. According to the protesters, the Sylhet deputy commissioner had personally contacted senior Chevron officials and urged them not to remove the existing security personnel.
However, as their demands remained unmet, the workers and other company officials joined the sit-in at Chevron Bangladesh’s Sylhet office on Thursday.
The protesters demanded that the dismissal decision be withdrawn immediately and that all outstanding salaries and benefits be paid without further delay. They warned that the sit-in would continue until their demands were met.
Those attending the programme included Chevron Bangladesh Security Coordinator Khurshid Alam Chowdhury, Security Officer Manish Kanti, Nadir Latif, Nazim Ehsan, Inspector Ranjit Nath, Faruk Ahmed, Alauddin, Sowmoni Sharma and Helal Uddin, along with other officials and employees.
The affected workers and their families appealed to the authorities concerned to consider the humanitarian and administrative implications of the decision and take steps to reinstate the 141 security personnel.
END/RIM/SMA/
