Nurses call off protest upon minister's assurance

Unemployed nurses today stepped back from their protests after assurance from the health minister that their demands will be placed at the table of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The withdrawal came after protesting nurses, who have been demanding appointment through seniority and merit instead of tests, met the minister at his residence this morning.
Health Minister Mohammad Nasim has assured them of considering their demands, Parikshit Chowdhury, senior public relations officer of the health ministry, told The Daily Star.
"He (the minister) has also assured them that their demands will be forwarded to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he added.
Faruk Hossain, secretary general for Bangladesh Unemployed Nurses' Association, its acting President Rima Akhter and Bangladesh Basic Graduate Nurses' Society Organizing Secretary Mazharul Islam went to see the minister at his residence.
"The minister fed water to Faruk as a gesture of assurance," Mazharul Islam said. "He (the minister) has assured us that all our demands will be met."