Public university teachers observe work abstention

Teachers of all public universities across the country are observing full day work abstention today, demanding review of the new pay scale and a separate pay structure for them.

“This is the third day the teachers are observing full day work abstention…The teachers will continue their demonstration till their demands are met,” said ASM Maksud Kamal, secretary general of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association (FBUTA).

Meanwhile, the teachers observed sit-in programmes on their respective campuses to press home their demands.

As part of the programme, the Dhaka University teachers staged a two-hour sit-in in front of Aporajeyo Bangla at 11:00am, reports our DU correspondent.

Regarding the cabinet committee to look into the teachers’ allegation, Prof Maksud reiterated that they will not discuss their demands with the finance minister.

“We don't want to sit with the finance minister,” he told The Daily Star.

Yesterday, a circular issued by the cabinet division said the government has reconstituted the cabinet committee to look into allegations of "discrepancies" in the 8th National Pay Scale. Finance Minister AMA Muhith will head the team which will submit its recommendations upon examining the complaints.

There are over 13,000 teachers at 37 public universities in the country.