BCS Postal Association rejects move to dissolve cadre

The BCS (Postal) Association has rejected the recommendation to dissolve the Bangladesh Civil Services (BCS) (Postal) cadre, calling the move impractical and against national interests.

The Public Administration Reform Commission had suggested the abolition, citing a decline in postal service demand due to internet and courier service expansion.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisation’s President Md Saleh Ahmed and Acting General Secretary Md Akhtaruzzaman protested the proposal.

They argued that it could lead to a severe administrative and economic crisis.

"The only way to transform Bangladesh into an equitable, self-reliant, and democratic state is through comprehensive reform of the existing public administration. However, if the commission’s recommendations are not pragmatic or aligned with national interest, they could trigger a disastrous outcome,” the statement read.

"The Public Administration Reform Commission's report claims that the demand for postal services has significantly declined due to the accessibility of the internet and courier services.

"Citing this, it recommends abolishing the BCS (Postal) cadre service, which has led the 200-year-old Bangladesh Postal Department.

"However, this proposal is entirely unrealistic, ill-considered, and against national interests. As a result, postal officials and employees at all levels have firmly rejected it."

POSTAL SERVICE’S ROLE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The statement highlighted that Bangladesh Post Office currently serves around 35 million unbanked people, ensuring access to financial services.

It plays a vital role in printing, preserving, distributing, and transporting judicial and non-judicial stamps, contributing significantly to government revenue and administrative functions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, postal workers risked their lives to distribute essential medical supplies to every Upazila free of charge.

The department also transported essential food supplies from remote areas to Dhaka and other regions using its own logistics.

RISKS OF ABOLISHING POSTAL CADRE

The BCS (Postal) Association argued that, despite the department’s extensive involvement in diverse services, the commission’s recommendation to replace the postal service with courier-based communication is not only strategically dangerous for the state but would also lead to increased costs for the public.

This, in turn, could create additional financial strain on the country.

It said private logistics companies typically operate in profitable routes and areas, avoiding service in remote or less-populated regions.

Therefore, postal services remain the only viable option for ensuring continued communication and meeting the needs of the country’s underserved populations.

The association urged the commission to analyse the economic impact of the proposed dissolution on marginalised communities.

FINANCIAL BURDEN, EMPLOYMENT CRISIS

The association cautioned that dissolving the postal cadre in favour of courier services would require a detailed assessment of the existing infrastructure and its socio-economic impact.

 “If implemented, this recommendation will significantly increase government expenditure, create employment instability, and raise the risk of unemployment. Furthermore, it will violate Bangladesh’s obligation to provide universal postal services under the Universal Postal Union (UPU).”

"In addition, the postal department plays a key role in preserving the country's history and heritage by issuing commemorative stamps on national occasions. Only the postal service handles this responsibility.

 “Recently, a stamp was released to honour the July uprising, ensuring that the people's contribution is remembered in Bangladesh’s history.

 “If the postal cadre is abolished, it will affect not only the preservation of national heritage but also Bangladesh’s global representation through postage stamps."

The association warned that the dissolution of the postal department would impose financial burdens on citizens.

 “In many cases, postal officials are responsible for running essential services across large regions. While other cadres often have multiple officials assigned at the Upazila level, in many cases, a single postal officer manages an entire district.

 “If the BCS (Postal) cadre is abolished, it will disrupt postal services, compromise the confidentiality of government documents, and create chaos in official communication.

 “Moreover, the dominance of private courier businesses will result in exorbitant service charges, forcing the public to pay higher fees.”

CALL FOR IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSAL

The BCS (Postal) Association believes that the interim government will immediately withdraw the Public Administration Reform Commission’s short-sighted and impractical recommendation.

Instead of dismantling the postal cadre, the government should focus on making the department more profitable, efficient, and technologically advanced, in line with international best practices, it said.

Akhtaruzzaman, the acting general secretary of the association, told bdnews24.com: “We have strongly rejected and protested against the Public Administration Reform Commission’s recommendation.”