Decision on pay structure will come after Pay Commission report: finance adviser

The decision on the new pay structure for government employees will be taken after receiving the Pay Commission’s report, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said today, noting that the commission members are reviewing the matter and will submit their recommendations soon.

He made the remarks after a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on government procurement at the secretariat in Dhaka.

Ahmed said the work of the Pay Commission is continuing without interruption and that various stakeholders have submitted opinions and proposals to the commission—some in writing and others through direct meetings. Recommendations are being prepared after considering all aspects.

Asked whether the interim government can announce and leave behind such a decision, the economic adviser said the commission is analysing all issues.

He added that there is a separate report concerning the judiciary and defence, and a subcommittee has also been formed.

The Pay Commission was formed on July 27 last year to determine a new pay structure for government officers and employees.

The commission is headed by former finance secretary and chairman of the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, Zakir Ahmed Khan, and was asked to submit its report within six months.

At present, government officers and employees receive salaries and allowances under the 2015 pay scale. There are about 16 lakh government officers and employees.

For more than two years, the country has faced high inflation, eroding people’s real income. Against this backdrop, the Pay Commission was formed to work out a new pay structure.