Duta demands review of pay scale changes

Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta) yesterday demanded that the government review a December 15 gazette on an alternative system for public university professors in the eighth National Pay Scale replacing the selection grade and time scale.

Holding an urgent meeting, Duta also demanded fulfillment of the government's promises and removal of all "discrepancies" centring the professors in the pay scale.

University teachers went on a movement protesting abolishment of selection grade and time scale and their status on the pay scale, which the cabinet had approved on September 7.

A cabinet committee on elimination of salary discrimination made some recommendations, later approved by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which the finance ministry, through a December 15 letter, asked the education secretary to implement.

The letter said professors would require a UGC chairman-led committee's approval to be under grades 1 and 2 while the number of grade 1 teachers would be limited to a quarter of those under grade 2.

Moreover, only national professors would be eligible for a special grade provided to senior secretaries.

Duta said Finance Minister AMA Muhith in a meeting with teachers' representatives on December 6 assured keeping all facilities of the seventh pay scale, including the selection grade and time scale, says a Duta statement, adding that the government deviated from its promises.  The statement also criticised the government decision to bring national professors under the pay scale.