Prof Zeenat: Prottoy scheme holds teachers hostage across Bangladesh

Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) General Secretary Dr Zeenat Huda claims the Prottoy pension scheme holds hostage university teachers across Bangladesh.

She made the remarks during the second consecutive day of protest against the pension scheme at the main gate of Kala Bhaban, Dhaka University on Tuesday.

• Finance Minister: Recruits in govt jobs to get universal pension benefits

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.

During the sit-in, Prof Zeenat Huda said: "This movement is for the students. They will be the future teachers. There has been a lot of misinformation about this movement. It is claimed that this movement holds students hostage. In reality, teachers are protesting for the students. The Prottoy pension scheme essentially holds teachers across Bangladesh hostage."

• Prottoy pension scheme: What does Finance Ministry say?

Drawing on the example of university teachers' salaries and benefits in developed countries, she said: “Leaving aside advanced countries... as we are leaving everything out; look at this subcontinent, teachers in India, Sri Lanka, and even Pakistan earn much more. Those against whom we had protested for discrimination, even their countries pay teachers more."

Prof Lutfur Rahman, the former vice-president of the association and convener of DU Shada Dal, criticized those advocating for the pension scheme, suggesting they were doing so to preserve their positions. “If the government continued to delay addressing the scheme, it might provoke broader public participation in the protests.” 

• Pension Scheme: Public university teachers’ strike enters day 2

Officials and employees of the university gathered in front of the registrar building from 10am. They also staged a sit-in until 1pm.  

During this time, they threatened to halt university operations if demands unmet. They also warned that they would lock all the university's main gates if necessary. They called on the vice-chancellor to negotiate with higher authorities to meet their demands.
Addressing the students, they said they may be facing temporary problems. But this movement is also for the students. They will join as teachers, officers, and staff in future. We are continuing this movement for their future benefit.