NCP opposes outsourcing textbook printing abroad

The labour wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Sunday urged the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) to abandon any plan to outsource textbook printing abroad.

The group warned that if the NCTB awards work orders to foreign companies, it will halt all board activities.

The warning came during a human chain organised in front of the NCTB office in the capital's Motijheel, where participants chanted slogans such as "We won't accept seeing local labour dying" and "Inqilab Jindabad" to press their demands.

Hasan, a central leader of NCP's labour wing, said hundreds of thousands of local workers are struggling for employment.

"In the past, work orders were given to foreign companies for publishing textbooks, leaving local labourers unemployed. Bangladesh has enough skilled labourers. We will not tolerate any move allowing foreign entities to handle textbook printing," he added.

Chief organiser of the NCP labour wing, Shipon, called for constitutional changes to safeguard labourers' rights.

"Many labourers sacrificed their lives during the July 2024 student-people uprising against the fascist government. Still, many workers in the country remain unemployed," Mr Shipon said, urging the government not to outsource textbook publishing to foreign entities.

Meanwhile, the NCTB clarified that it has not issued any international tender for publishing textbooks.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com