Teachers delay protest march as pay demands intensify in Dhaka

Thousands of non-government teachers in the MPO list have gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar and plan to march to the Secretariat at 4pm to demand higher pay. Originally set for noon, the protest was delayed by four hours after reports suggested the government was discussing the teachers’ demands. Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, the group’s member secretary, said the delay came after NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah called for it, urging the protesters to wait for the government meeting to finish.

Teachers are insisting on a 20% house rent allowance, Tk1,500 medical allowance, and a 75% festival bonus. They also want a universal transfer policy in place. The government’s proposed increase in allowances has been rejected as inadequate. Teachers nationwide are in a work stoppage, staying away from classrooms but continuing sit-ins at school premises.