In lockstep with their peers of 39 public universities, Dhaka University teachers continued an all-out strike for eighth consecutive day on Monday, demanding cancelation of the universal 'Prottoy' pension scheme.
The teachers staged a one-hour sit-in outside the main gate of Arts Building on the campus from 12 noon.
Meanwhile, classes and exams at those universities have remained suspended since July 01.
The teachers started their all-out stoppage and announced the closure of all classes and tests.
DUTA president and the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association secretary general Prof Dr Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan said they earlier discussed the matter with the government. "We informed them of our abstention from work if the scheme is not scrapped. We first observed half-day stoppage and then for a full day. Later, we started all-out strike."
"We won't return to classroom until our demands are met," added Dr Bhuiyan. DUTA general secretary Prof Dr Zinat Huda said, "We have been holding a sit-in to realise a three-point demand. We will return to classroom with victory."
On 17 August 2023, the universal pension scheme started its journey with four schemes: Probashi, Pragati, Suraksha and Equality.
On March 13 this year, the government introduced 'Prottoy' for employees who join public universities and other organisations that fall under the scheme from 01 July 2024 onwards.
Meanwhile, members of the Muktijoddha Santan Command formed a human chain at Bangladesh Agricultural University, calling for withdrawing the gazette notification regarding the scheme, reports UNB.
The protest took place around 11:00 am outside the Bijoy-71 Sculpture on the university campus.
The demonstrators demanded the cancellation of what they described as an indifferent guideline associated with the pension scheme.
Md Solaiman Alam, general secretary of the organisation, addressed the participants, voicing their concerns and criticisms.
Prof Dr Afrina Mustari, chief adviser of the organisation, highlighted the ongoing unrest among university teachers and staff.
She said, "For the last several days, teachers and staffers from various universities have been staging demonstrations demanding the withdrawal of 'Prottoy'."
"We hope the prime minister will reconsider the pension scheme and its indifferent guideline. We want to return to our classes, exams and research…"
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