A showdown is likely at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (BSMMUH) today with the Sarkari Karmachari Shaman-nay Parishad calling a 24-hour strike and the authorities warning of "legal action".

"Any one found spoiling the peaceful atmosphere at the hospital will face legal action," the authorities have said in a notice.

The authorities have already oepioyea nuge contingents oi police on the campus to maintain law and order. The number may be increased if necessary, sources there said.

But the Parishad. pressing its five-point demand, claims that the authorities have left it with "no choice but to go for movement" by turning deaf ears to appeals for talks.

About 900 nurses, cleaners, security guards, ayas, sardars and ward boys of the hospital observed strike on May 30 and 31 at the call of the Parishad to realise the demands.

"We have repeatedly urged the BSMMUH authorities to sit for talks, but to no result. They left us with no choice but to go for movement." Md Abul Quashem, President of the Parishad told The Daily Star yesterday.

Referring to the BSMMU Act 1998 he said, "We have requested the authorities to im-

plement it but they are ignoring the issue."

The Act says those who will opt to remain government employees in the university will continue to enjoy all government benefits as per rules.

Quashem explained, "We are supposed to get our salary from the office of the Auditor General (AGB) but it is not happening. The authorities, through an order last year, took the responsibility of disbursing our salary directly from the university without specifying benefits like pension and provident fund. We do not know where the money deducted from salary goes. It is illegal".

The five-point demand include disbursement of salary and other allowances directly by the government, formation of a 'pension cell' in the hospital, two-day weekly holiday as in government hospitals and free treatment facilities for the staff and their families.