MPO teachers to get retirement benefits: HC

Staff Reporter :

The High Court has directed that retirement benefits for over six lakh teachers and employees of MPO-enlisted non-government educational institutions must be provided within six months of their retirement.

The directive came through a 13-page verdict delivered by a High Court division bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice KaziZinatHoque.

The full verdict has been published on the Supreme Court’s website. Advocate SiddiqUllah Miah, counsel for the petitioners, confirmed the development.

According to the lawyer, the ruling will significantly ease the sufferings of nearly six lakh teachers and employees across the country who often face long delays in receiving their benefits.
The case dates back to a writ petition filed in 2019, when teachers and employees of MPO-enlisted schools, colleges, and madrasas challenged a government notification issued by the Secondary and Higher Education Division on 15 April that year. Explaining the background, Advocate SiddiqUllah said that until 2017, six percent of teachers’ and employees’ salaries was deducted to fund retirement benefits, which were disbursed after retirement.
Later, the education ministry decided to increase the deduction to 10 percent, but the benefits remained the same as before.
The petitioners demanded that benefits should be provided proportionately, matching the increased deduction.
After lengthy hearings, the High Court issued its verdict, ruling that employees are entitled to additional benefits in line with the 10 percent deduction and must receive their retirement packages within six months of leaving service.