Teachers of all public universities in the country on Tuesday took a half-day break from service protesting the proposed Universal Pension Scheme by the Finance Ministry, branding it discriminatory and illogical.
Teachers demanded to withdraw the scheme. Otherwise, they warned the government of launching tougher movement.
Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers Association announced that they will take a half-day break from service on June 25, 26 and 27 and full-day on June 30.
If the government does not withdraw the Universal Pension Scheme by this month, teachers of all public universities will go for complete work stoppage from July 1, said leaders of the Association. Teachers Association General Secretary Prof Md Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan announced the programmes from a press conference held in front of the main gate of the Dhaka University (DU) Arts Faculty on Tuesday.
Speaking at the press conference, Prof Zinat Huda, General Secretary of DU Teachers Association (DUTA), said, "No classes and examinations will be held from July 1. Chairmen will close all the departments. House tutors will not go to their halls.
Directors of Institutes will not go to their offices. Teachers will not arrange any seminar, symposium, research programme and workshops at the universities." "All academic and administrative activities will be stopped," Prof Zinat Huda told reporters.
Earlier, the teachers on May 28 took two-hour break from service to press home their demand.
Meanwhile, DU officers and employees also took a two-hour break from service from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Tuesday.
They brought out a rally on the campus led by Convener of DU Officer-Employee Oikya Parishad Md Abdul Motaleb.
Teachers, officers and employees said that many existing facilities will be curtailed in the proposed Universal Pension Scheme. They said all will be financially harmed by the proposed scheme. The Finance Ministry, in a notification on March 13, announced that all officers and employees, joining the service of autonomous, self-governing, nationalised, statutory or similar organisations and their subordinate institutions on or after July 1, 2024, would be included in the universal pension scheme.
Our JnU correspondent reports that Jagannath University (JnU) teachers are undertaking a half-day work stoppage today, urging the cancellation of the Universal Pension Scheme. The protest, initiated by the Jagannath University Teachers Association, began at 8:30 am this morning and will continue until 1:00 pm. In solidarity with a nationwide initiative, teachers at Jagannath University are actively participating.
Dr Shaikh Masriq Hasan, General Secretary of the Jagannath University Teachers Association, stated, "We are undertaking a half-day work stoppage today to demand the abolition of the Universal Pension Scheme. None of our academic staff are conducting online classes. We are also holding a sit-in protest in our teachers lounge as part of this action."
Previously, on 26th May, Jagannath University teachers staged a two-hour work stoppage, organised by the Jagannath University Teachers Association, advocating for the same cause. A further two-hour demonstration was held on 28th May.
