Millions of people work in various governments, private and autonomous institutions of the country. Many of them work in various pay scales at the officer, employee level. Many others work without grades. Apart from this, many working people earn low income by working without any grade. Therefore, pay scale or pay structure in the present context is not a favour, favour or gift to the government employees; rather it is their fair, constitutional and labour right. It is the duty of the State to announce and implement a realistic and equitable pay-scale to maintain the standard of living in keeping with the rise in commodity prices.
The last pay commission in government jobs was in 2015. In this, they have been incremented at the rate of 5 percent every year. Sometimes a little more, That is, they have been working on the same scale for about 10 years. Especially the lower grade pay is not at all commensurate with the current market. They need a pay rise like everyone else (those who do corruption are different), there can be no debate about that. Lower grade government employees are having a tough time in the current economic situation, especially due to inflation. Due to rising cost of daily necessities and inconsistency in the current salary structure, they are struggling to make ends meet. Many have demanded the implementation of increased pay-scales or allowances. In the current hyperinflationary market, it has become difficult for government employees to survive on existing salaries, which has led to strong demands for new pay scales.
While the Pay Commission has proposed a pay hike of 100% to 147% as of January 2026, the interim government has said it will not implement the new pay scale immediately. Most of the people working in various organizations belong to lower grades. The number of low income people is also high. In various crises, including the increase in commodity prices, the pressure is the most on these low-grade jobbers and low-income people, which we can see in the ongoing commodity price rise market, not only that, Even in the field of employment, most of the obligations of the upper class have to be accepted by these lower grade employees. All the storms pass over them. But according to hard work, honour, respect, sympathy do not come to their foreheads. Pay-scale is a right-its rationale and current context are very important. They demanded the new pay scale as a fair remuneration for the labor and services rendered by the employees of the Republic.
Meanwhile, if salaries do not keep pace with the cost of living and inflation, the standard of living decreases, depriving employees of their fair dues. It also strengthens administrative and service activities by improving performance and eliminating fair pay disparities and encouraging employees to work. Hence, increase in salary and allowances of government employees is not a mercy, but a logical and legal demand. Cost of living has become difficult to meet as the prices of daily necessities have increased manifold in the last decade. In this context, 184 online and offline meetings with various stakeholders and 2,552 views have been taken to formulate these practical recommendations.
There are usually 20 grades in this structure for government employees in Bangladesh. How the low income people are living today cannot be understood without actually seeing it. They run out of water to bring salt. Don't go without eating with your family. Many do not even remember when they ate rice with beef. They work hard to raise their wives and children. We should think about them. No one can escape the responsibility of these. At least it is important to see that the suffering in all crises, including the rise in commodity prices, should not fall only on the shoulders of low-grade workers and low-income people. Many of us do not have the mentality to stand by the common people or to remove their suffering. We need to change that attitude. All classes, especially low-grade employees, low-income people and poor people, need to have a system so that they can forget the misery if not enough happiness in their lives. And we have to change the extreme mentality that exists among us regarding the subordinates. Be patient. Everyone should work for the country and its people.Which is more needed today. The Pay Commission has submitted recommendations for the ninth pay scale. But even after ten days, no direct action has been taken by the government to implement the new pay scale. As a result, there is extreme frustration among the employees.
After submitting the recommendations, the employees demanded that the gazette be published by January 31. But even after the last day of January, the gazette did not come. Employee leaders announce new program. The Pay Commission has submitted recommendations for the ninth pay scale. After submitting the recommendations, the employees demanded that the gazette be published by January 31. But even after the last day of January, the gazette did not come. Employee leaders announce new program in I situation.
Compared to 2015, a huge increase in the price of daily necessities of Bangladesh has been observed in 2025. Prices of almost all commodities including rice, pulses, oil, onions, potatoes and broiler chickens have increased by 2 to 3 times in the last decade. Prices of edible oil and pulses have risen consistently and nearly doubled. On the other hand, prices of other commodities like onion, potato and spices have increased almost every year, which has increased the pressure on the livelihood of common people. Inflationary pressure, especially in 2024-2025, has made the livelihood of low and low income people difficult as the prices of daily commodities have skyrocketed. Price hike is a common problem in view of new pay scale or salary hike negotiations. Whenever there is a rumor or announcement of salary hike in the public or private sector, unscrupulous traders increase the prices of goods, thereby increasing the suffering of the common man. Such price hikes have a negative impact on the standard of living of common people. A new pay scale or salary structure for government officials has become necessary due to the unbridled increase in commodity prices in 2025.
If wages do not rise in line with the prices of daily commodities, there is a danger of being in dire straits to meet the cost of living. About 1.8 lakh government employees and their families of the country and nearly three crore people are directly involved in this pay scale. Taking into account the sufferings of these people, a speedy implementation of the 9th pay scale is very important.
The writer is a former registrar, JSTU
