Livestock service providers demand job regularisation

Under the Livestock and Dairy Development project, 4,200 livestock service providers (LSPs) from 61 districts across the country have demanded the regularisation of their jobs.

They called for the provision of salary and benefits at a minimum grade level under the banner of the "LSP Welfare Association Bangladesh".

The members of the livestock service providers made these demands at a press conference held at the National Press Club in Dhaka today.

In a written statement at the press conference, the platform's General Secretary, SM Zaman, said that the 4,200 LSPs had been transformed into skilled and trained human resources through various training programmes.

He further said that they have established approximately 6,500 Producer Groups (PGs) nationwide, which have gained widespread recognition.

SM Zaman added that they regularly provide advice to farmers on animal care and treatment during natural disasters, floods, and seasonal conditions. Additionally, they have been encouraging marginalised farmers to adopt modern, high-quality, and technology-driven farming practices, replacing traditional farm management concepts. As a result, the LDD project and livestock activities have gained acceptance among small-scale farmers, he noted.

He emphasised the importance of continuing these activities for the economic prosperity of the country and the welfare of farmers, by permanently appointing LSPs at the union level to help meet the targets for milk, eggs, and meat production.

He also mentioned that they believe the modernisation of the Department of Livestock would significantly contribute to the country's economy.

SM Zaman urged the interim government to consider the plight of the 4,200 skilled and trained LSPs, and to establish union-level livestock service centres with direct recruitment of LSPs, providing them with minimum grade-level salaries and regularising their jobs.