A man has been working for more than 20 years at a government office in Betagi, Barguna, as a night guard and cleaner on a temporary basis — earning only 60 taka per day. This appears to be a record low wage in the country’s history.
He works on a daily contract at the local sub-registrar’s office in Betagi. Starting with a wage of only 20 taka per day, he has continued serving in this important government office for over two decades, yet his life remains extremely difficult due to the meager pay. Despite the hardship, he continues his duty every day.
According to sources at the sub-registrar’s office, under the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, the Department of Registration hired him on a daily wage basis similar to other offices across the country — with a fixed rate of 60 taka per day.
Betagi Sub-Registrar Asiful Haque Shovon said that although the matter is for policymakers to decide, he has already recommended to the relevant department that the worker be made permanent and paid a respectable salary.
A retired government official, requesting anonymity, commented that this situation is reminiscent of the Mughal era under Shaista Khan — when wages were extremely low. “Nowadays, a day laborer earns between 500 and 800 taka per day. Even if the position is temporary, it’s unthinkable that in this era, a government office employee works for such a small wage. Unless one experiences this kind of hardship, it’s impossible to understand,” he added. He urged the authorities to show compassion toward such underpaid workers in this employee-friendly government.
The worker lives in Ward No. 3 of Betagi Municipality. He supports his wife, one son, and two daughters. He said that with such a low income, it is nearly impossible to cover his family’s basic expenses, yet he has no other work opportunities.
The night guard and cleaner said he has been living a life of hardship for a long time, but no one has come forward to help. He mentioned that there is no national organization to represent workers in such temporary posts, which is why their voices never reach the authorities. He appealed to the government to increase their wages and make their jobs permanent.
