Noakhali Correspondent: Diploma engineers working across various government, private, and autonomous institutions in Bangladesh observed a symbolic one-hour voluntary overtime on Wednesday (September 3), expressing solidarity with the 7-point demand declared by the Bangladesh Diploma Engineering Students-Teachers-Professionals Struggle Council. The program was held from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM and was implemented simultaneously in all districts, including Noakhali.

At around 4:30 PM on Wednesday, diploma engineers were seen continuing their official duties at the Noakhali Municipality Office, demonstrating their participation in the hour-long initiative. Similar scenes were observed across other government offices, including the Public Works Department (PWD), LGED, Education Engineering Department (EED), and Roads and Highways Department (RHD), where engineers remained active beyond their scheduled work hours.

When asked about the unique form of protest, leaders of the organizing body stated that longstanding issues related to the rights and promotion of diploma engineers have remained unresolved for years. This has compelled the community to launch peaceful movements and awareness programs like this one.

Among the key demands are: clear demarcation of work roles between diploma and BSc engineers, maintaining the current 10th grade position of Sub-Assistant Engineers exclusively for graduates of four-year diploma programs under the Bangladesh Technical Education Board, preserving a 1:5 ratio of BSc to diploma engineers in all institutions, increasing the promotion quota for diploma engineers from Sub-Assistant Engineer to Government Engineer from 33% to 50%, halting the appointment of engineers in non-technical cadres, and updating the diploma engineering curriculum in English to align with modern industry standards.

Speaking to reporters, Belal Ahmed Khan, Executive Engineer of Noakhali Municipality, said, “Diploma engineers are no less capable or meritorious. By working one extra hour today, we’ve shown our support for the 7-point charter. We hope the government takes these demands seriously and addresses them soon.”

Ashraf Chowdhury, President of the Noakhali district branch of the Institute of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB), emphasized the legitimacy of the demands, stating, “These demands are fair and logical. Unfortunately, a certain group seems intent on destabilizing the engineering profession. We appeal to the government to resolve the issues and ensure justice for diploma engineers.”