Govt workers want Pay Scale gazette by Aug 31

The Government Employees Demand Implementation Coordination Council has announced a fresh programme to press for the publication of the gazette for a “discrimination-free” 9th pay scale by 31 August.

The announcement was made at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday.

The council said government employees would hold a 30-minute sit-in in front of the main gates of their offices at 10am on 1 September if the gazette is not published by the deadline. They will also submit memorandums to their office heads.

On 6 September, representatives of government offices will submit memorandums to deputy commissioners to be sent to the Prime Minister.

The council will also hold divisional representative conferences from 1 to 24 September.

On 2 October, government employees from across the country will gather at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka. They will then march towards the Prime Minister’s residence to demand the gazette.

The leaders said the government-formed Pay Commission had recommended a “discrimination-free” 9th pay scale. The council had earlier set 10 August as the deadline for its implementation, but the gazette was not issued within that time.

They said government employees had not received a new pay scale for 11 years. During this period, cumulative inflation had reached 108%, making it difficult for employees to meet household expenses with salaries based on the 2015 pay scale.

The council urged the government to implement the 9th pay scale quickly, considering the rising cost of living and the current economic situation.