Teachers oppose 4pc cut from salary

Non-government teachers, who are not entitled to retirement benefits, yesterday (Friday) demanded cancellation of a government order of additional four per cent cut from their salary for their contribution to the Welfare Trust and Retirement Benefit Board. The teachers, under the banner of the Bangladesh Shikkhak Union at a press conference in Dhaka’s Segunbagicha, said the government order was "illegal" and should be scrapped by May 2.

The education ministry on April 15 issued an order to raise the rate of contribution to 10 per cent, four per cent up from the previous rate, with effect from April. The ministry order said the additional four per cent cut was aimed at "speedy disbursement of their retirement benefits".

Abul Bashar Howladar, president of the Bangladesh Shikkhak union, said at the press conference that it was "quite an absurd argument" to  raise the contribution for speedy disbursement of payment after retirement.

“Disbursement of money takes four to five years only for red-tape of bureaucrats. We cannot pay additional money for smooth disbursement of the payment,” he added.

He alleged that non-government teachers and employees face discrimination as they get 25 per cent of their festival allowance, Tk. 1,000 for monthly house rent and Tk. 500 for monthly medical bill.

“We are already facing discrimination and now the government wants to make our life and living more painful,” Abul Bashar said.

He demanded that the government nationalise education, provide full festival allowance and disburse their contributed retirement money within a month of retirement. “It’s the government's obligation to ease clerical procedures. We will lay siege to the offices of the Welfare Trust and Retirement Benefit Board. And if that doesn’t work, we’ll shut down all educational institutions,” he said.

Currently, around five lakh teachers and employees work in about 28,000 non-government educational institutions under monthly pay order (MPO).

Teachers oppose 4pc cut from salary

Non-government teachers, who are not entitled to retirement benefits, yesterday (Friday) demanded cancellation of a government order of additional four per cent cut from their salary for their contribution to the Welfare Trust and Retirement Benefit Board. The teachers, under the banner of the Bangladesh Shikkhak Union at a press conference in Dhakas Segunbagicha, said the government order was illegal and should be scrapped by May 2. The education ministry on April 15 issued an order to raise the rate of contribution to 10 per cent, four per cent up from the previous rate, with effect from April. The ministry order said the additional four per cent cut was aimed at speedy disbursement of their retirement benefits. Abul Bashar Howladar, president of the Bangladesh Shikkhak union, said at the press conference that it was quite an absurd argument to raise the contribution for speedy disbursement of payment after retirement. Disbursement of money takes four to five years only for red-tape of bureaucrats. We cannot pay additional money for smooth disbursement of the payment, he added. He alleged that non-government teachers and employees face discrimination as they get 25 per cent of their festival allowance, Tk. 1,000 for monthly house rent and Tk. 500 for monthly medical bill. We are already facing discrimination and now the government wants to make our life and living more painful, Abul Bashar said. He demanded that the government nationalise education, provide full festival allowance and disburse their contributed retirement money within a month of retirement. Its the governments obligation to ease clerical procedures. We will lay siege to the offices of the Welfare Trust and Retirement Benefit Board. And if that doesnt work, well shut down all educational institutions, he said. Currently, around five lakh teachers and employees work in about 28,000 non-government educational institutions under monthly pay order (MPO).