More than 370 workers providing critical support to survivors of rape and gender-based violence have been working without pay since January, raising concerns over the continuity and quality of services at specialized centers. These 373 employees operate within One Stop Crisis Centres (OCCs), One Stop Crisis Cells, and the National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory, offering a range of legal, psychological, medical, and forensic assistance to survivors.
The program, initially launched in July 2000 as a joint effort between the government and the Danish International Development Agency (Danida), has delivered specialized services for over two decades. Its fourth phase concluded in June 2024, and after a hiatus, the initiative resumed in July 2025 under the government’s annual development plan, with funding intended to cover outsourced personnel through December 2029. However, the Finance Division has so far declined to authorize reallocating these funds to pay the existing workforce.
Efforts to hire an outsourcing agency to manage staffing have been unsuccessful, with three procurement attempts since January canceled due to procedural and compliance issues. Despite months without salaries and uncertain job security, workers have continued to provide essential services, though temporary work stoppages have occurred, disrupting support to survivors.
The unpaid workers have appealed repeatedly to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, expressing that prolonged non-payment has placed their families in severe financial hardship. Questions have also been raised about the government’s decision to outsource these roles rather than retain experienced personnel who have built considerable expertise.
Critics argue that outsourcing specialized services involving sensitive survivor support may jeopardize confidentiality, forensic evidence handling, and the continuity of trauma counselling and legal assistance. The policy governing outsourcing reportedly includes provisions for exemptions in cases related to confidentiality, public interest, or specialized services, which require official approval.
Calls have been made for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and the Finance Division to resolve the payment delays promptly to prevent further disruption. If the government moves forward with outsourcing, stakeholders emphasize the importance of ensuring the transition does not compromise the quality of care or privacy protections for survivors.