DU teachers reject proposed pay scale

The teachers of Dhaka University (DU) rejected on Thursday the proposed pay-scale for them terming it 'disgraceful and discriminatory' as their salary grades were downgraded by two steps.
The university teachers also demanded immediate revision of the proposed national pay-scale, keeping senior professors and senior secretaries of the government at an equal level of payment.
"Unfortunately, the planned pay-scale has downgraded salary-structure of the university teachers by two grades from that in the 7th pay-scale, which is disgraceful," said Prof SM Maksud Kamal, general secretary of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) at a press conference on the day.
He said in the proposed pay-scale salaries and other benefits of all government service holders had almost been doubled, but the Pay Commission suggested a reduced scale for the university teachers.
On behalf of the teachers, the DUTA general secretary read out a written statement at the press meet at the university. DUTA president and Economics Department teacher Dr. Farid Uddin Ahmed, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Prof Kamal also placed a set of proposals including a separate pay-scale for the teachers making sure that the DU Vice Chancellor gets the facilities enjoyed by a cabinet secretary.
The Pay Commission led by Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin recently submitted the final report on the 8th pay-scale for government service holders, proposing 20 grades. The pay scale is supposed to be effective from July next.
The DUTA secretary general said previously senior professors used to draw salaries equal to that of a senior secretary, but according to the latest scale, the teachers would get less than that of the government bureaucrats.
He said in comparison with neighbouring countries like India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the university teachers in Bangladesh were drawing lower salaries.
He expressed his reservation over the Pay Commission, saying that it did not include any recommendation from the university's teachers on fixation of their payment.
Prof Kamal said some government agencies and wings had tactfully got their positions upgraded.
"Taking the advantage, two special posts-senior secretary and designated secretary-have been created in the new pay-scale in a bid to allow special benefits for them," the professor noted.
He said they would form a human chain at Aparajeyo Bangla on the university campus on Sunday next.
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