Govt employees place six demands over pay scale

The Bangladesh Government Employees’ Unity Council for Realisation of Demands has demanded the quick publication of the gazette on the 9th pay scale recommended by the government-formed Pay Commission.

The demand was made at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Friday morning.

Speaking at the event, the council’s coordinator Md Lutfar Rahman said government employees have been deprived of a new pay scale for the past 11 years. During this period, cumulative inflation has reached 108%, he said.

“In this context, employees can no longer manage household expenses in 2026 with salaries fixed in 2015. Therefore, the 9th pay scale must be implemented immediately,” he added.

The organisation also placed a six-point demand charter.

The demands include allocation in the proposed FY2026-27 budget for implementing the 9th pay scale with a minimum salary of Tk35,000 across 12 grades and immediate publication of the gazette for a “discrimination-free 9th pay scale” recommended by the Pay Commission.

The organisation also demanded reinstatement of the three time scales, selection grade and salary seniority omitted from the 2015 pay scale gazette.

It called for promotions or higher grades every five years for employees working in all posts, including block posts, and recognition of technical employees according to their technical positions.

The council further demanded the introduction of pensions alongside gratuity in all autonomous institutions and increasing the gratuity rate from the existing 90% to 100%. It also sought fixing pension gratuity at Tk500 against every Tk1.

Among the other demands were revision of allowances in line with the current market prices and cost of living, introduction of a rationing system for employees in grades 11-20 similar to military and paramilitary forces, and formulation of a uniform recruitment policy for all government, semi-government offices, directorates and autonomous bodies to eliminate salary and position disparities among employees.