Confusion Over New Pay Scale; Government Employees Given December 15 Ultimatum

Staff Report: PNN

The National Pay Commission is working to increase salaries and allowances for officials and employees of government, semi-government, autonomous organizations, state-owned banks, and government-funded universities. The commission will meet with secretaries of various ministries at the Secretariat on Monday (24 November).

Confusion has arisen about the implementation of the new pay scale, as interim government advisers indicated that only the newly elected government could implement it. Government employees are opposed to waiting and demand that the current government enforce the new pay scale. They have threatened protests if no action is taken by 15 December.

The meeting will be chaired by National Pay Commission Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan. The last pay commission for government employees was in 2015, after which a 5% annual increment was given. Many officials have worked under the same pay scale for nearly 10 years, making the demand for a new pay structure urgent.

Employees also emphasize the need for salary increases, improved revenue collection, and reducing disparities between government and private sectors. At a rally on 14 November at the National Press Club, leaders of the Bangladesh Government Employees’ Rights Alliance warned that if the gazette is not published by 15 December, strict action will follow.

Khair Ahmed Majumdar, Secretary of the Bangladesh Employee Welfare Federation, stated that discussions are ongoing to unite employees from all government and autonomous institutions. Twelve organizations have already joined in support of the demand. Employees said that if the gazette is published by December, they would be satisfied and expect the new pay scale to take effect from 1 January next year. They insist that the new pay scale must be implemented.