Public university teachers observe strike

Public university teachers today observed their nationwide strike to press for a four-point charter that includes the demand for a separate pay scale.

They observed the day-long work abstention in 37 public universities, and rejected the 8th national pay scale, which, allegedly doesn’t meet their demands.

In Dhaka University, over a hundred teachers attended a demonstration rally at Aparajeyo Bangla premises and marched out to Central Shaheed Minar in the morning.

All classes and examinations were cancelled.

Teachers of all 37 public universities in Bangladesh took part in the peaceful movement, said Prof Maksud Kamal, secretary general of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association (FBUTA).

"We welcomed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when she ordered a committee composed of senior ministers to discuss the demands of teachers. But we were frustrated since the members of the Dr Farash Uddin-led ed pay commission were bureaucrats and they did not consider our demands", he added.

“The movement will continue until our demands are met,” said Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed, President of FBUTA.

He insisted to include a teacher as representative in the committee ordered by prime minister.

The four-point demand of the teachers is: formation of a commission to initiate an independent pay scale for public university teachers, immediate revision of the 8th national pay scale, keeping senior professor and senior secretaries on the same pay scale and at an equal level of payment and benefits as enjoyed by the same grade government officials.

The government yesterday endorsed new pay scale for civil servants with a minimum basic salary of Tk 8,250 and maximum of Tk 78,000 per month.

However, the teachers said they were expecting a separate pay scale. They threatened to go on indefinite strike if their demands are not met.