Dhaka, Feb 07 (V7N) – Police intercepted and dispersed a procession organized by the Oikya Parishad, a coalition of government employees, as they marched towards Jamuna, the residence of the Chief Advisor, with seven key demands, including a 50% dearness allowance and the implementation of the ninth pay scale.

The procession began at 2:30 pm from the Central Shaheed Minar on Friday (February 7). However, as the demonstrators reached the Shahbagh intersection, police set up barricades to halt their progress. Attempts by the protesters to push forward resulted in police using water cannons to disperse the crowd.

Delegation Allowed to Present Demands

After the crowd was dispersed, police engaged in discussions with the protest leaders. Following these talks, a seven-member delegation representing the Oikya Parishad was escorted to Jamuna at around 3:00 pm to formally present their demands to the authorities.

Earlier in the day, the Oikya Parishad had organized a mass meeting at the Central Shaheed Minar, starting at 10 am, where thousands of employees gathered to voice their grievances.

The Seven-Point Demand of Oikya Parishad

  1. 50% Dearness Allowance for employees in grades 11-20, effective from January 2025, to be maintained until the formation of a pay commission and publication of the ninth pay scale.

  2. Regularization of annual salary increments for employees who have reached the final step of the basic salary. Inclusion of employee representatives in the pay commission and restructuring the pay scale into 10 steps to eliminate discrimination.

  3. Standardization of titles and grades across all government, semi-government, directorates, and autonomous institutions, aligning them with secretariat standards to remove disparities.

  4. Reinstatement of three time scales and the selection grade withdrawn in the 2015 pay scale gazette. Introduction of pensions alongside gratuity in autonomous institutions and adjusting the gratuity rate to 100%. Setting the pension gratuity rate at 500 taka per 1 taka.

  5. Adjustment of all allowances in response to rising market prices, cost of living, and inflation. Introduction of a ration system for grades 11-20 and simplification of government housing loan facilities.

  6. Promotions or higher grades for employees after five years of service, including those in block posts. Technical ranks for employees engaged in technical work.

  7. Cancellation of discriminatory orders issued by the Ministry of Finance that prevent timescale and selection grade calculations for employees transferred from development projects to the revenue sector. The outsourcing method of employee recruitment should also be abolished.

Growing Tensions Over Pay Disparities

The Oikya Parishad’s movement highlights growing frustration among government employees over wage disparities, especially in the face of rising inflation and living costs. The group has vowed to continue its struggle until their demands are met.

While the delegation's meeting with the Chief Advisor provides a glimmer of hope, the situation remains tense, with employees threatening to escalate their protests if their demands are not addressed promptly.

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