The MPO-Listed Teachers’ Nationalisation Alliance has given the government one month to meet their demands, warning of work stoppages if no action is taken within the deadline.
The announcement came from the alliance’s Member Secretary, Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, after a meeting with the Education Adviser and the Education Secretary on Wednesday.
Speaking to protesting teachers in front of the National Press Club, Azizi, who was part of a 12-member delegation that visited the Secretariat, outlined their next course of action.
He said that if demands are not met within a month, the alliance will observe a half-day work stoppage on September 14, followed by full-day strikes on September 15 and 16. If the government still fails to respond, they will launch an indefinite sit-in in front of the Press Club starting October 12.
According to Azizi, the Education Ministry informed them that a proposal to increase house rent for MPO-listed teachers and staff from 50% to 75% had already been sent to the Ministry of Finance. The ministry reportedly agreed in principle with their demands but said it was not possible to implement all of them at once. Discussions would be held with the Finance Ministry on the required budget.
He added that the ministry has also proposed a 20% increase in house rent and doubling the medical allowance from Tk 500 to Tk 1,000. “We have prioritised the house rent issue above all else,” Azizi said, warning that if the proposal is not approved and forwarded to the Finance Ministry, they will proceed with further protest programmes.
