Photo: Messenger
Teachers of 35 universities and members of several associations, including Bangladesh University Teachers' Association Federation and Dhaka University Teachers' Association, have announced an all-out work abstention from Monday (today) demanding the withdrawal of the “discriminatory notification” related to Prattay, one of the five schemes of the Universal Pension Scheme (UPS).
They said there would be no classes and exams from Monday (today). The chairmen would close their respective departments. Dormitory house tutors would not visit halls from now on. None of the institute directors would visit the institutes. Even online classes of teachers will be suspended while mid-term, final, and entrance exams will not be held either. Computer labs, laboratories, and libraries will also remain closed.
The protesting teachers say that if the government's new policy is implemented, no one will take up the “great” profession of teaching in the future. They say they are protesting to safeguard the interests of youths in the future and save higher education from destruction. Besides, they say thousands of teachers and students are supporting their “logical” protests. They also say that as a result of the discriminatory notification, they will no longer get pension after 75 years. According to them, it is not logical that the job age has been reduced from 65 years to 60 years while 10 per cent of the salary has to be given for pension.
Professor Md Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan, the president of the Dhaka University Teachers’ Association, told The Daily Messenger that teachers earlier used to get Tk 80 lakh at the end of their service life, which they would not get now. “Now we don't have to pay anything from our salary for pension. But in future, we have to pay 10 per cent. No one will get pension after 75 years. Earlier, the age limit was 65 years, which is now 60 years.” He added, “Now it is a matter of protecting our self-esteem above all. All universities are with us in this movement.”
Since the issuance of the notification by the Ministry of Finance on March 13 this year, teachers have been holding peaceful protests, such as issuing statements, collecting mass signatures, forming human chains, going on symbolic strikes, handing out memorandums, and holding sit-ins. Since no step was taken by the government during this period, a half-day strike was observed in universities on June 25, 26 and 27. A full-day strike was observed on June 30.
Therefore, Bangladesh University Teachers' Association Federation announced an all-out work abstention in all public universities across the country as the Prattay scheme was not cancelled within the deadline. Professor Nizamul, secretary general of the federation, announced the programme at a press conference in front of the Dhaka University’s Arts building on Sunday. He said that if the demands are not met, an all-out work abstention will be observed in all public universities across the country from July 1 (today) until the demands are met.
Last March, the finance ministry launched the Prattay scheme in addition to the previous four in the UPS. It will include workers or employees of all types of self-governing, autonomous, state-owned, statutory or homogeneous organisations and their subsidiary bodies joining after July 1 this year. The teachers' association claims that the scheme is discriminatory and teachers appointed on and after July 1 will suffer financially.
In this regard, Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury said that university teachers are not under government jobs and these are autonomous institutions. “The government is including the new recruits of universities under the pension scheme. If a deadlock is created in all public universities across the country, a decision will be made after observing the situation. The movement of teachers proves that universities are autonomous institutions and they have their independent opinions. They are expressing that opinion.”
The Dhaka University Teachers' Association also announced an all-out work abstention, including class and examination boycotts, from Monday (today) to demand the cancellation of the Prattay scheme, calling it discriminatory. Professor Nizamul, president of the association, and Professor Zeenat Huda, general secretary of the association, made the announcement in front of the Arts building on Sunday.
In a written statement, they said that an all-out work abstention will be observed until the demands for the withdrawal of the inclusion of university teachers in the “discriminatory and degrading” Prattay scheme, the introduction of an individual pay scale for teachers, and the inclusion of university teachers in the promised super grade are met. According to the association, all classes in all departments will be closed during the strike. Online classes, evening classes, and professional course classes on Fridays and Saturdays will also be suspended. Additionally, teachers will boycott all exams, including mid-terms, finals, and admission tests. During this time, department chairpersons will keep department offices, seminars, computer labs, and laboratories closed. Meetings of the academic committee, the coordination and development committee, and the question paper coordination committee will not be held.
The deans of faculties will suspend related activities, including the deans’ offices and admission tests. The freshers’ reception programme cannot be arranged. No selection board meetings will be held. Directors of various institutes will keep institute offices, classes, and examinations closed. Evening, Friday, and Saturday classes will also be suspended. Directors of various research centres will refrain from organising seminars, conferences, and workshops. Provosts of various halls will keep their offices closed, and the central library will remain closed.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal told the media, "We support teachers' logical movement. However, they should keep in mind that students should not be adversely affected by the closure of classes and exams. Therefore, we are trying to resolve the issue through discussion."
The Jagannath University Teachers' Association also announced an all-out work abstention. AKM Lutfar Rahman, a professor in the chemistry department and former general secretary of the association, said, "There will be no classes from Monday." Professor Mashrik Hasan, the general secretary of the association, said, "In this discriminatory scheme, it is said that the government will provide us with a pension till age 75. But if we face illness or difficulties after that, what will happen to us? We have also asked the departments not to engage in any academic work."
Members of the University Employees’ Association as well as the Employee, Worker, and Assistant Workers’ Association abstained from work and held a protest on Sunday to demand the exclusion of public universities from the pension scheme notification. President of the University Employees’ Association Abdul Quader said that universities should be excluded from the scheme. "If our demands are not met, we will refrain from all departmental and university activities."
In the Prattay scheme, government employees have been added to the previous four schemes of the UPS. On March 20, the Ministry of Finance said this in a circular and highlighted its various aspects. Earlier, on March 13, the necessary amendment was published in the form of an SRO by virtue of Section 29 of the Universal Pension Management Act 2023, adding the Prattay scheme.
According to the amendment, officers or employees joining all types of self-governing, autonomous, state-owned, statutory, or homogeneous organisations and their subsidiary organisations after July 1 this year will be included in the Prattay scheme. According to the notification from the Ministry of Finance, the interests of the existing officers/employees of the institutions concerned will not be affected, and their existing pension or gratuity benefits will remain intact. However, those with at least 10 years of service remaining can express interest to participate in the scheme. The future financial security of the newly joined officers/employees after July 1 this year will be guaranteed by participating in the scheme as they will receive a monthly pension upon retirement.
Messenger/Disha
