Staff Reporter :
The government has raised the monthly stipend for postgraduate trainee doctors to Tk 30,000, up by 20pc for unpaid FCPS trainees who passed their first phase under BCPS. The revised allowance, effective from Tuesday, was rejected by the doctors, who demand Tk 50,000.
Approximately 10,000 trainee doctors across Bangladesh have been protesting for higher allowances since 2022. On Sunday, they staged sit-ins at BSMMU and blocked the Shahbagh intersection, causing traffic disruptions.
Though reassured by Anti-discrimination Movement Coordinator Sarjis Islam, the doctors continued work abstention until the allowance notification was issued.
The Doctors’ Movement for Justice rejected the increase as inadequate, calling it a breach of promises and vowing further action unless demands are met by Thursday. Since 2022, the trainee doctors have staged protests, including hunger strikes and sit-ins, criticizing allowances as unfair.
Previous government commitments, including a July 2023 raise from Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000, were also deemed insufficient.
Despite recommendations from various authorities, including BCPS and the health ministry, the matter has stalled at the finance ministry, prompting renewed protests. Last week, a meeting between representatives and the finance ministry promised a quick resolution of the issue, but delays reignited the demonstrations.
