Govt employees issue ultimatum demanding 9th pay scale

The Bangladesh Government Employees’ Unity Council for Realisation of Demands has issued an ultimatum to the government demanding implementation of the 9th pay scale and announced a series of fresh programmes to press home their demand.

The information was disclosed in a press release signed by the organisation’s Member Secretary Md Mahmudul Hasan, and Chief Coordinator Md Wares Ali, on Friday.

According to the statement, if their demand is not met by 15 March, the organisation will announce tougher programmes on 28 March. As part of their current action plan, they will submit memorandums and organise representative rallies and organisational activities across the country.

In the press release, the organisation alleged that since the introduction of the 8th pay scale in 2015, employees in grades 11 to 20 have been subjected to disparities.

They claimed that despite submitting applications and carrying out various programmes to address the discrimination at the initial stage, they received no response from the then government.

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The statement further alleged that no previous government held discussions with the organisation on the issue, although BNP-led governments in 1991 and 2005 had introduced what they described as two fair pay scales.

The organisation stated that government employees have effectively been deprived of a new pay scale for the past 11 years. They said the sharp rise in the cost of living due to soaring commodity prices has left employees struggling to support their six-member families.

The statement added that from 2019 onward, the organisation carried out peaceful programmes and submitted appeals to draw the attention of the then government to the need for a discrimination-free 9th pay scale. Similar efforts continued under the interim government.

In response, the 9th Pay Commission was formed in 2025 and has already submitted its report to the government. However, despite assurances, the interim government did not implement the new pay scale, they alleged.

The organisation expressed hope that the current government would take into consideration the prolonged delay of 11 years and the increasing cost of living, and implement a discrimination-free 9th pay scale at the earliest.

As per a decision taken at a meeting held on Friday, the organisation announced several programmes to inform the prime minister and other relevant authorities about their demand.

From 22 February to 5 March, leaders at district and upazila levels will meet local members of parliament and ministers to submit memorandums addressed to the prime minister through them, seeking implementation of the 9th pay scale.

During the same period, central leaders will meet cabinet members to submit similar memorandums.

In addition, throughout the holy month of Ramadan, representative rallies and organisational programmes will be held in divisional cities demanding implementation of the new pay scale.

The organisation warned that if the government does not take any visible initiative to implement the 9th pay scale by 15 March, it will announce its next course of action at a press conference on 28 March, following the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.