MPO: Disgruntled teachers demand Hasina meeting in second day of protests

Teachers and employees of the education institutions not covered by monthly pay order, or MPO, have gathered in front of the National Press Club to demand government pay.

They have sought an audience with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over their demands.

The protesters have vowed not to budge until the government fulfils their demand to be included in the MPO.

Eight months ago, teachers outside the MPO scheme launched a hunger strike in front of the Press Club. The strike was called off 17 days later after the teachers received the prime minister’s assurance to sign up approved education institutions on the government’s pay list.

But disgruntled teachers took to the streets once again on Thursday as their demands went unfulfilled.

Teachers and employees of different educational institutions gather in front of the National Press Club for the second day to demand inclusion in the government’s monthly pay order, or MPO, scheme. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove

Protesters from different private educational institutions gathered in front of the Press Club along with family members and children.

They were carrying placards which read: “I want my mother’s salary to be paid, employment without payment”, “Honourable prime minister we have something to say” and “We want MPO”.

Thousands of teachers have shut down institutions across Bangladesh to take part in the protest, according to teacher representatives. They offered their Juma prayers on the streets.

Teachers and employees of different educational institutions outside the government's monthly pay order, or MPO, scheme offer Friday prayers on the streets amid protests in front of the National Press Club. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove

Teachers held talks with Md Sohorab Hossain, senior secretary to the Secondary and Higher Education Division, in the afternoon but to no avail.

Principal Golam Mahmudunnabi Dollar, president of the Non-MPO Educational Institution Teacher-Staff Federation, told bdnews24.com that he along with 14 members of the organisation’s executive council met the secretary at the Officers’ Club.

“The secretary said: ‘Have faith in the government and leave.’ This is nothing more than irresponsible talk.

"We asked the secretary to arrange a meeting with the prime minister. He (the secretary) then said, ‘We will try but you should leave.’ We weren’t satisfied with his words so we left the meeting.”