MPO-listed teachers issue one-month ultimatum to realise demands

Teachers of MPO-listed institutions on Wednesday gave the interim government until 14 September to realise their demands including increased house rent allowance.

Delwar Hossain Azizi, principal of a college and the member secretary of the protesters’ alliance, issued the ultimatum before fellow protesting teachers in front of the Press Club, following a meeting with the education adviser.

In the meeting, Education Adviser CR Abrar assured them of meeting their demands. If the government dithers, the teachers would observe half-day work abstention on 14 September, and full-day work abstention on 15 and 16 September.

If the government will still drag its feet, the teachers would start an indefinite sit-in movement in front of the Press Club from 12 October, they warned.

Also Read: Teachers block traffic outside Press Club demanding MPO inclusion

Earlier, around 10am thousands of teachers gathered in front of the Press Club blocking vehicular movement on one-side of the main road there.

They claimed that Tk1,000 house rent allowance is grossly inadequate, and demanded the allowance be based on basic salary’s percentage. The also demanded similar benefits enjoyed by teachers of government educational institutions, and full nationalization of job status.

At 12pm, a 12-member delegation went to the Secretariat to discuss their demands with government officials, after the police requested them to do so. About half-an-hour later they exited the meeting.

According to media reports, the education adviser turned down the demand of “nationalization,” since ensuring it is a complicated task that can only be undertaken by the upcoming elected government.

Other rational demands would be met gradually, Adviser CR Abrar told the teachers’ delegation. The education ministry will send a letter to the finance ministry, asking for funds to hike house rent allowance, officials have reportedly told the teachers.

The allowance would be a percentage of the basic salary, as per the letter. Furthermore, the finance ministry has been asked to raise the MPO-listed teachers’ medical allowance to Tk1,000 from Tk500.