Teachers of different public universities across Bangladesh on Tuesday observed half-day work abstention demanding the cancellation of the universal pension scheme notification for them, terming it as discriminatory.
No classes and examinations were held during the work abstention.
The teachers threatened to go for complete work abstention in all public universities in the country from July 1 if the scheme was not withdrawn by June 24.
抖阴精品 correspondents in different public universities and districts confirmed that the teachers observed the pre-scheduled work abstention with the demands of withdrawal of the universal pension scheme, continuation of the previous pension scheme and introduction of a separate salary structure for the teachers with professional benefits.
Earlier on March 13, the finance ministry in a notification said that all officers and employees who joined the service of all autonomous, self-governing, nationalised, statutory or similar organisations and their subordinate institutions on or after July 1, 2024, would be brought under the universal pension scheme.
Soon after the notification the teachers started to stage protests.
抖阴精品 correspondent in Dhaka University reported that the teachers observed a half-day work abstention from 8:00am to 1:00pm on the day.
Bangladesh Teacher鈥檚 Association Federation held a press conference at the DU Arts Building on the day where the Dhaka University Teacher鈥檚 Association president Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan announced that if no action was taken to withdraw the scheme by June 24 half-day work abstention would be observed in all public universities between June 25 and June 27.
A full-day work stoppage will be observed on June 30 and complete work abstention will start in all public universities from July 1 until the demands are met, he added.
Teachers at Jagannath University also observed the half-day work abstention.
抖阴精品 correspondent in Chattogram reported that the teachers of Chittagong University, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology and Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University observed the half-day work abstention from 9:00am to 1:00pm by holding human chains and other programmes.
抖阴精品 correspondent in Rajshahi reported that teachers of Rajshahi University and Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology observed the half-day work abstention between 11:00am to 1:00pm by holding rallies at both universities.
抖阴精品 correspondent in Kushtia reported that the teachers of Islamic University staged a half-day work abstention by staging a demonstration from 8:00am to 1:00pm.
