Chattogram, Nov 13 (V7N)- In the lives of Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical company Medical Representatives (MRs), an ongoing story of dedication and hardship unfolds every day. Despite the high educational backgrounds of these young professionals, they face relentless challenges in their careers, marked by a lack of respect and dignity. Their day-to-day reality paints a somber picture, one that remains largely hidden from society.
From early dawn until late at night, MRs travel extensively, often enduring long waits outside doctors' chambers to secure prescriptions. Their daily routine involves standing in line for hours, sometimes into the night, waiting for a chance to discuss medications with doctors. Many times, despite multiple polite greetings, they receive little more than a glance or, worse, dismissive responses. The constant pressure, indignities, and lack of appreciation weigh heavily on their morale and self-respect.
The MRs face another tough challenge in dealing with pharmacists. They must secure orders from chemists, and in many cases, these encounters are marked by a lack of respect. Many MRs are forced to greet chemists, some of whom may not have completed basic schooling, with repeated salutations. Despite waiting for hours, they frequently face belittling comments that further erode their dignity. To meet high sales targets, many MRs even borrow funds to cover pharmacy debts, only to struggle to recover the money later.
The need to drive sales forces MRs to offer incentives, bonuses, and samples to secure orders. Often, chemists’ assistants exhibit disrespect, treating MRs as though they are subordinates who deserve minimal courtesy. Many MRs endure demeaning treatment not only from chemists but even from hospital sweepers, security guards, and clinic attendants. This relentless disregard profoundly impacts their mental well-being and sense of self-worth.
Pharmaceutical companies impose demanding and rigid rules, ambitious sales targets, and unyielding managerial pressure on MRs, making their jobs even more grueling. Many MRs risk their lives navigating through congested roads on motorcycles to meet company expectations, and numerous individuals have lost their lives in traffic accidents over the years. The grueling work, mental stress, sleepless nights, and health issues plague these professionals, yet they carry on, often unnoticed and unappreciated.
For many, speaking out against these conditions feels impossible. Attempts to protest are met with threats of job loss, raised targets, or punitive measures, silencing those who might otherwise seek change. For the sake of their families, they endure this treatment in silence, sacrificing personal respect for financial stability and family welfare.
After a long day, tired and humiliated, MRs return home, pondering a single question: Will the end to this life of thankless struggle ever come? Their unyielding hope is that one day their dedication and sacrifice will be met with the recognition they deserve. Thousands of MRs continue to serve diligently, silently awaiting a societal shift that would grant them respect and honor.
Until now, no government has introduced comprehensive laws ensuring fair benefits, job security, and protections for private officers and employees. As a result, countless MRs remain in uncertain, tenuous employment situations, silently carrying out their duties and sacrifices.
END/ABZ/AJ
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