BRUR CorrespondentEmployees of various departments and offices at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) staged a sit-in and work abstention programme on Wednesday, demanding promotion and upgradation, alleging that they have been deprived of the benefits for years.The employees took position at the south gate of the university’s administrative building on October 7 and said they would continue the programme until their demands are met.Md Mahfuzar Rahman, convener of the Third-Class Employees’ Association and a seminar assistant at the Department of Geography and Environmental Science, said many employees had been deprived of promotion for years.“Some of us have been deprived of promotion for 10 years, while others for seven years. According to our policy, employees are supposed to receive upgradation every five years. But despite repeatedly informing the administration, no upgradation board has been arranged,” he said.He said they had already submitted letters to the vice-chancellor and registrar over the issue.“We will initially hold the sit-in for two hours. If our demands are not met, we will go on a hunger strike,” Mahfuzar said.Mosa Kakoli Begum, a seminar assistant at the Department of Mathematics, said the employees receive very low salaries, making it difficult for them to support their families.“Most of our fellow employees are burdened with debt. Many of our colleagues have already died carrying the burden of debt,” she said.Md Monowar Hossain, a seminar assistant at the Department of Disaster Science and Management, said the employees were among the lowest-paid workers at the university.“If we received upgradation or promotion on time, it would provide us with some financial relief. But we have not received any upgradation for the past 10 years, causing us significant financial hardship,” he said.He urged the vice-chancellor to accept their demands and take steps to provide them with promotion and upgradation.Among those present at the programme were Humayun Kabir Sagar, an office assistant-cum-computer operator at the Department of Disaster Science and Management; Rafi Akter, an office assistant-cum-computer operator at the Department of History and Archaeology; and Mosa Farzana Begum, a seminar attendant at the Department of Disaster Science and Management, among others.