Top-level bureaucrats were assured by the prime minister of the formation of a permanent pay commission with a rise in civil servants’ pay to attract meritorious candidates.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spoke about the changes on Monday at a meeting held at the secretariat, attended by top-level civil bureaucrats.
Those who attended the meeting told the Dhaka Tribune Tuesday seeking anonymity about the premier’s comments.
The government may form and announce a permanent pay scale for public servants by October 25 as it has committed not to take any major decisions after that day.
The commission decides on pay rises and other benefits for civil servants after analysing the market, prices and taking into consideration inflation rates across the country each year.
The annual inflation report by the Bangladesh Bank will be considered when the issue is analysed, said one of the secretaries to the Dhaka Tribune.
He said a secretary raised the issue before the prime minister and requested her to form the commission as was pledged by her government. In response, Hasina asked the finance ministry to form the pay commission.
Accordingly, the ministry started work on the commission. It is expected to be announced within this government’s tenure, said the civil servant official.
Secretaries said if the pay scale of civil servants was not increased, the civil services would not attract meritorious candidates as they could earn three or four times higher salaries at entry level in private companies.
Hasina responded to the secretaries that the government would take steps in this regard if her party formed the next government. But, she warned that civil servants would have to work attentively and honestly.
A secretary quoted Hasina as saying that she had assured the secretaries of generous promotion on the basis of annual and general performance reports. She, however, said nobody would be given special privileges.
“Some senior-level secretaries will be promoted to senior secretaries as three posts of senior secretaries are lying vacant now,” said the high-level secretary.
The other senior-level secretaries will also be considered, and if needed, new posts for senior secretaries may be created, he said.
