The teachers of Dhaka University (DU) observed a half-day work abstention from 8 am to 1pm on Tuesday, demanding the cancellation of the new universal pension scheme issued by the finance ministry, terming it discriminatory.
Following the work abstention at Dhaka University, the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association (FBUTA) held a press conference on the ground floor of the Arts Building of Dhaka University at around 1pm.
In the press conference, there were present Dr. Nizamul Hoque bhuiyan, president of DUTA, Dr. Zeenat Huda, secy of DUTA, Dr. Shafiul Alam bhuiya, Dr. Abdur Rahim and many others.
Dr Zeenat Huda, the general secretary of DU teachers' association, said,“This is our fight to survive. We are not protesting against the government.”
“The departments will be off, the provosts of the halls will not go to the hall offices, the deans of the faculties will not schedule any new examinations, every seminar and symposium will be off, and the research centres and the institutes will be off from July 1 if the demands are not met within this month,” she added.
In a written speech at the conference, DU teachers' association President Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan said that the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association (FBUTA) observed a half-day work abstention in all public universities on Tuesday as part of the ongoing movement demanding the withdrawal of the discriminatory pension scheme issued by the Ministry of Finance on March 13, inclusion of university teachers in super grade, and the introduction of a separate pay scale for teachers.
Since the issuance of the 13th notification, the teachers have been systematically carrying out various programs to date.
Professor Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan also added,“If no effective steps are taken to withdraw the pension scheme by June 24, and if university teachers are not included in the super grade and a separate pay scale for teachers is not introduced, a half-day work abstention will be observed in all public universities of Bangladesh on June 25, 26, and 27. A full-day work abstention will be observed on June 30, and an all-out work abstention will be observed in the public universities from July 1 until the demands are realized.”
