Public univ teachers postpone strike again

The Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association yesterday extended the suspension of the indefinite work stoppage for the third time till March 6, hoping for positive responses from the government to remove "discrepancies" between teachers and bureaucrats in the eighth national pay scale.

The federation secretary general, ASM Maksud Kamal, made the announcement at a press briefing after holding a general meeting of FBUTA at Dhaka University Club.

Briefing journalists, Prof Maksud said the teachers would sit down with the Finance Minister AMA Muhith-led cabinet sub-committee on the salary discrimination on March 6.

FBUTA President Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed said, "We hope that a respectable solution will come out in the next meeting. But a lot depends on the mindset of the bureaucrats."

However, the teacher leaders threatened to go for tougher movement if their demands were not met within March 6. FBUTA will meet again on March 8 to plan the next course of  action. "We have seen the government dilly-dallying in fulfilling our demands, which is unexpected", said a press release of FBUTA.

Prof Maksud said, "After the January 18 meeting with the prime minister at Gono Bhaban they held meetings with four secretaries and officials of the University Grants Commission (UGC) four times to resolve the issue."

The federation on February 4 extended the suspension of the strike until February 23.