DU teachers reject pay scale proposal, says it's ‘discriminatory’

Dhaka University teachers have rejected the proposed national pay scale saying it was ‘discriminatory’ and ‘degrading’.

At a press conference on Thursday, their association called for its revision.

They demanded selection grade professors to be paid the same salary, allowance, benefits and status as senior-level secretaries.

Likewise, professors would have to be given status of secretaries and other teachers be treated at par with similar ranking government officials. 

DUTA General Secretary ASM Maksud Kamal read out from a written statement that said the Pay and Services Commission proposal deprived teachers and the secretary-level committee went further to ensure their own benefits. 

Senior professors enjoyed same salaries and benefits as secretaries under the last pay structure. Although their salaries and benefits increased in the proposed structure, the allocations were downgraded two tiers. 

He also questioned why the secretarial body maintained the former 20-grade scale instead of accepting the pay commission’s proposal for a 16-grade structure. “The creation of new positions for senior secretaries and secretaries outside the grade is questionable.”

The DU professor also lambasted bureaucrats saying they suggested ‘illogical’ benefits for themselves. He alleged manipulation by bureaucrats and some organisations.

The pay commission on Dec 21 submitted a 16-grade proposal with maximum basic salary of Tk 80,000 and minimum of Tk 8,200.