Teachers and employees of Dhaka University (DU) on Tuesday continued their work abstention for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, demanding the withdrawal of the gazette notification on the universal pension scheme.
As a result, university classes, examinations, and official activities remain suspended, effectively paralyzing the institution.
As part of the comprehensive work abstention, teachers staged a sit-in protest in front of the main gate of the Arts Building this afternoon, where they delivered speeches.
The Dhaka University Officers-Employees Unity Council also observed an all-out work abstention on Tuesday with the same demands. They held a march on campus in the morning, followed by a protest rally in front of the registrar building.
These actions have been prompted by the lack of assurance from the government regarding the cancellation of the "Prottoy Scheme" notification.
The protesters' three main demands are: the withdrawal of the Prottoy Scheme notification, the inclusion of university teachers in the super grade, and the introduction of a separate pay scale for teachers.
At the sit-in protest at the gate of Arts Faculty, Dhaka University Teachers' Association General Secretary Zeenat Huda stated: “The teachers of 35 universities have rejected the Prottoy Scheme. There is much confusion about this movement, and it is being spread intentionally. But our movement is not intentional; it’s for the protection of the next generation.”
Lutfar Rahman, the convener of the pro-BNP teachers’ organization ‘Shada Dal’, emphasized: "This movement is for our future generations. If the government delays, the people of the country will also join the movement. Although our teachers may have different ideologies, we are united in this regard. This is a movement for our survival, and we must win."
Nizamul Hoque Buiyan, President of the Teachers' Association and Secretary General of the Federation of University Teachers' Associations, concluded the sit-in with a speech.
He said: "There is a simultaneous movement in 35 public universities demanding the withdrawal of the Prottoy Scheme. Our movement will continue until our demands are met. We want an announcement from the prime minister addressing our concerns. The academic loss to students due to the ongoing work stoppage will be compensated later through special classes."
Meanwhile, the Registrar Building's activities have been halted for the second day, and the university library is also closed.
The Officers-Employees Unity Council held a protest on campus in the morning, followed by a rally in front of the registrar building. At noon, a group of officials and library employees demonstrated in front of the library’s main gate.
Teachers and staff from 35 universities, including Dhaka University, are intensively protesting, demanding the cancellation of the pension scheme issued by the Ministry of Finance, citing it as discriminatory.