Teachers of Islamic University (IU) and Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) demanded an independent pay scale for the public university teachers yesterday. In Kushtia, teachers of IU observed a three-hour work abstention from 10am for a third time demanding formation of a commission to initiate formulation of an independent pay scale. They also asked for immediate revision of the 8th national pay scale, keeping senior professors and senior officials of the government at an equal level.  IUTA President M Mizanur Rahman presided over the programme while IUTA general secretary Prof Dr AHM Akhtarul Islam Zillu, joint secretary Mustafizur Rahman, IUTA former secretary Prof Harun-Ur Rashid Askari spoke at the programme. Teachers of different departments were also present there. Speakers said in the proposed pay scale salaries and other benefits of all government service holders have almost been doubled, but the Pay Commission suggested a reduced scale for the university teachers. According to the latest pay scale, the teachers would get less than that of the government bureaucrats. IU teachers staged work abstention for the first time on August 16. In Mymensingh, BAU teachers yesterday staged demonstration on the campus in protest against the 8th national pay scale which, they said, has failed to meet their expectation. They have demanded immediate revision of the pay scale. The teachers skipped their regular classes and gathered in front of the university administration building at around 10am to demand a selection grade for the public university professors.   Terming the salary structure of the university teachers disgraceful, BAU Teachers’ Association President  Khandokar Shariful Islam said, “The bureaucrats have humiliated university teachers by giving biased recommendations on pay scale.”
 Senior professors enjoyed the same salaries as secretaries under the last pay structure.