DU Correspondant :
Public university teachers across the country have announced their decision to cease all services starting from Monday in protest against their inclusion in the universal pension scheme, ‘Prottoy’.
This decision was made clear by the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers’ Association (FBUTA) during a press conference held at the main entrance of the Arts Building of Dhaka University (DU) after a full-day work stoppage on Sunday.
The FBUTA, representing university teachers nationwide, stated that all academic activities, including examinations, would be halted as teachers would abstain from all official duties. This move is part of an ongoing protest against the newly launched ‘Prottoy Pension Scheme’.
The new pension scheme, ‘Prottoy’, was launched yesterday, mandating that all officers and employees who join the services of autonomous, self-governing, nationalised, statutory, or similar organisations, along with their subordinate institutions, from July 1, 2024, will be included in the scheme.
In solidarity, employees of Dhaka University (DU) have also called for a work stoppage. The Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA), led by President Prof. Dr. Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan and General Secretary Prof. Zeenat Huda, observed a full-day work stoppage yesterday. DUTA has declared an all-out break in services for an indefinite period.
DUTA emphasised that the strike will encompass all classes, examinations, regular and irregular programs, and a administrative activities, including chairmen offices, hall provost offices, research centres, institutes, the central library, dean offices, computer labs, and seminars.
“This all-out strike will continue until our demands are met,” stated DUTA in a written statement.
Their demands include the withdrawal of university teachers from the ‘discriminatory and degrading’ Prottoy Pension Scheme, the introduction of an individual pay scale for teachers, and the inclusion of university teachers in the promised’super grade’.