The Dhaka University Employees’ Unity Council at a human chain demanded the cancellation of a recent pension circular issued by the Ministry of Finance, terming it discriminatory.
The human chain was formed in front of the Memory Eternal Monument beside the vice-chancellor’s residence at Dhaka University at around 11:00am on Monday.
Speakers at the human chain said, ‘We have come here for bread and butter. Don’t kick at the stomachs of poor people like us. This circular is an insult to the educational philosophy of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.’
Sheikh Mohammad Sarwar Morshed, president of the Dhaka University Employees Unity Council, said, ‘We cannot accept two policies in one country. Without further discrimination against us, accept our demands, implement the previous pension policy and implement the 9th pay scale.’
Md Mobarak Hossain, president of the Dhaka University Employees’ Association and general secretary of the Class IV Employees’ Union, said, ‘The pension scheme imposed on us should be abolished and the previous pension scheme should be reinstated. If our demands are not met, we will be forced to launch a bigger movement.’
The human chain programme was moderated by Ruhul Amin, general secretary of the Dhaka University Employees’ Association. Former joint general secretary of the Technical Employees’ Union Manjurul Islam, Class IV Employees’ Council general secretary candidate Abdus Sobhan Manik, Technical Associations’ vice-president Mohiuddin Ahmed, former general secretary of the Employees’ Association Sohel Rana and nearly five hundred officers and employees of the DU’s departments and institutes were present.