Govt employees set for street protest over delay in Ninth Pay Scale gazette

Government employees have announced plans to take to the streets, demanding the prompt publication of the gazette for the Ninth Pay Scale.

Bangladesh Government Employees’ Unity Council for Realisation of Demands on Friday declared a major sit-in programme scheduled for 10:00am on June 12 in front of the National Press Club.

They warned that failure to meet their demand would turn the June 12 programme into the beginning of a continuous and tougher movement, with a series of sustained protests to follow until the issue is resolved.

Expressing frustration over the lack of visible progress, the leaders said that despite repeated calls over the years, no concrete steps have been taken to publish the gazette.

They urged the government to intervene directly and resolve the matter without further delay.

Reading out a written statement, Md Lutfur Rahman said government employees have been deprived of a revised pay scale for the past 11 years.

He noted that cumulative inflation during this period has reached 108 percent, making it increasingly difficult for employees to manage household expenses under the existing 2015 salary structure.

“Continuing with 2015 wages in 2026 is no longer viable for sustaining livelihoods. Immediate implementation of the Ninth Pay Scale is essential,” he said.

The employees also alleged that the previous Awami League government took no effective initiative on the matter.

They added that although the interim administration had raised hopes by proposing a pay commission, it ultimately deferred action, allocating Tk 39,000 crore but suggesting that implementation be left to the next elected government.

They further claimed that despite election pledges by the current government to introduce the new pay scale, neither the finance minister nor the ministry has taken any visible steps toward its implementation.

Considering the ongoing financial strain on public employees, the council called for urgent and humane consideration to implement the Ninth Pay Scale.