Teachers on hunger strike call 'March to Jamuna' for pay, allowance hike

They warn of a “massive mobilisation” if the government fails to accept their demands

MPO-listed teachers and staff have announced a fresh protest programme, calling for a 20 percent house rent allowance increase and other benefits, as part of their ongoing demonstration in Dhaka.

Under the new plan, they will hold a “flag procession” from the Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday, followed by a March to the chief advisor’s residence State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday if their demands are not met by noon.

Earlier on Friday afternoon, the protesters, who have been demonstrating at the Shaheed Minar for six days, began a hunger strike to press for their demands.

The movement, under the banner of the MPO-Listed Education Nationalisation Expectant Alliance, began last Sunday.

Initially, their demands included raising the house rent allowance by 20 percent, increasing medical allowance from Tk 500 to Tk 1,500, and raising festival bonuses from 50 percent to 75 percent of the basic salary.

On Thursday, they added a new demand for the nationalisation of all private educational institutions.

Speaking to bdnews24.com around 9:15pm on Sunday, alliance Member Secretary Principal Delawar Hossain Azizi said: “We call on the government to consider the consequences if 1.5 to 1.6 million teachers, employees, and their family members enter Dhaka.

“We urge them to meet our demands before that happens.”

Azizi said their sit-in and the fast-unto- death at the Shaheed Minar will continue until the government issues a notification fulfilling their demands.