Government hikes ‘special benefit’ for employees, rollout from July

Minimum monthly benefit rises for both active and retired staff

The interim government has increased the minimum monthly “special benefit” for public sector employees, including military personnel, civil servants, and pensioners, with the revised rates taking effect from July.

A finance ministry notification issued on Monday sets the new minimum at Tk 1,500 for current employees, up from Tk 1,000, and Tk 750 for pensioners, up from Tk 500.

Those pensioners receiving below Tk 17,389 will get the benefit at 15 percent of their pension, while others will receive 10 percent.

The revised benefit covers joint forces, police, autonomous and state-owned bodies, banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, and border guards.

A separate directive says joint forces personnel from warrant officer level and above, including religious affairs counsellors, will receive 10 percent of their basic salary, while those at sergeant level and below will get 15 percent, with a minimum of Tk 1,500 in all cases.

The revised scheme also extends to teachers and staff of MPO-listed private schools, madrasas, and technical education institutions.

Under this, staff in Grade-9 and above will receive 10 percent of their basic salary, while those in Grade-10 and below will get 15 percent.

The benefit revision follows a proposal made by Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed in the interim budget presented on Jun 2, amid ongoing discussions about a potential dearness allowance for public employees.

A notification was issued the next day, and the latest order redistributes the previously announced benefit with updated provisions.