Dhaka, Feb 07 (V7N) — Government employees from grades 11 to 20 have declared a continuous agitation program demanding a 50 percent dearness allowance and the implementation of the ninth pay scale. If their demands are not met by February 28, they plan to enforce a nationwide strike starting March 1.

The announcement came during a mass meeting held at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Friday, organized under the banner of the Government Employees' Demands Unity Council.

Agitation Program Schedule:

February 16-22: Public awareness campaigns, including displaying banners in government offices, distributing leaflets, and engaging with political parties, civil society, and the media.

February 23-28: Submission of memorandums to office heads, Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Divisional Commissioners, and Secretariats.

March 1: If demands are unmet, employees will go on strike in their respective institutions.

Key Demands of Government Employees:

1. Implementation of a Ninth Pay Scale: A 50% dearness allowance should be enforced from January 2025 as an interim measure until the pay commission is formed and the new pay scale is introduced.

2. Salary Structure Reform: Employees at the highest step of their pay scale should continue receiving annual increments. Employee representatives should be included in the pay commission, and a 10-step salary scale should be introduced to eliminate wage disparity.

3. Uniform Employment Rules: Titles and grades of employees in government, semi-government, autonomous, and directorate institutions should be standardized to match the Secretariat, eliminating discrimination.

4. Restoration of Time Scale and Selection Grade: The 2015 pay scale removed these benefits, which should be reinstated. Pension and gratuity benefits for autonomous institutions should be revised, with 100% gratuity instead of 90% and an increased pension gratuity rate of Tk. 500 per Tk. 1.

5. Allowance Adjustments: Due to rising living costs and inflation, allowances should be revised, the ration system for grades 11-20 should be improved, and government housing loans should be made more accessible.

6. Promotion and Grade Enhancement: Employees in all block posts should be promoted or receive a higher grade every five years. Technical employees should be granted technical ranks.

7. End to Discriminatory Policies: The Ministry of Finance’s directive that time scale and selection grade benefits will not apply to employees transferred from development projects to the revenue sector must be revoked. Additionally, outsourcing-based recruitment should be discontinued.

Government employees have warned that if their demands remain unaddressed, they will escalate their movement. With a potential nationwide strike on the horizon, the government may face significant disruption across various public services.

END/MSS/AJ