Teachers and employees of public universities have been observing a total strike since July 1, demanding the cancellation of the notification on the “Prottoy” scheme of universal pension, among other demands.
As a result, classes have remained suspended, and no work goes on in the administrative buildings.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader held a meeting with the leaders of the agitating teachers on Saturday.
After the meeting, Quader clarified that there was a misunderstanding about the matter.
He said that under the universal pension program, all government and autonomous institutions would join on July 1, 2025. The information about public university teachers joining the pension program from July 1, 2024, is incorrect, addressing one of their three demands.
Following the meeting with Quader, the teachers expressed their satisfaction that the talks had commenced.
However, it remains unclear whether the remaining two demands have been addressed.
Pension scheme: Protesting teachers say meeting with Quader satisfactoryWhat are their other two demands?
Super Grade inclusion
Super Grade is a rank above Grade 1 of the national pay scale, reserved for some senior secretaries and equivalent posts.
Public university teachers are demanding the inclusion of some professors in the Super Grade. This demand is not new; teachers had the same demand during a strike in 2016.
Prof Dr Mahbubur Rahman, president of the Chittagong University Teachers Association, said: “When the government introduced Super Grade for other government employees in 2015, we wanted a section of teachers to be included.”
He suggested forming a committee with representatives from the teachers’ associations to determine how many professors should be included in the Super Grade.
Quota and pension scheme movements: 5 ministers hold closed-door meetingSeparate pay scale
Currently, public university teachers receive salaries according to the National Pay Scale, the same as other government employees.
Lecturers join at Grade 9, assistant professors at Grade 6, associate professors at Grade 4, and professors at Grade 3.
50% of professors can be promoted to Grade 2, and 25% can be promoted to Grade 1, based on conditions which include years of service and publications.
Each university determines the promotion of its professors and other faculty members.
Teachers now seek an independent pay scale. However, this conflicts with their demand for inclusion in the super grade in the current pay scale.
Jagannath University Teachers Association General Secretary Dr Shaikh Masrick Hasan said: “Teaching is not a 9am to 5pm job. Our job is not limited to classes; we have to invest a lot of time outside.”
He added: “Teachers have to do research where the timeframe for output can be very long. Sometimes even the hypothesis can be void after two or three years of working.”
Dr Md Mizanur Rahaman, joint secretary of Dhaka University Teachers Association, mentioned that implementing a separate pay scale would require a commission, which they are currently discussing.
