The Islamic University Teachers Association (IUTA) staged a two-hour work abstention on Tuesday, demanding the withdrawal of a recently issued pension scheme deemed discriminatory by the Ministry of Finance. The move, which halted academic classes across departments from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The abstention was in solidarity with a call from the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Associations.
However, the exams were exempt from this programme. The other two demands are inclusion of the university teachers in the promised super grade benefits and the establishment of a separate pay scale.
IUTA president Professor Dr Anowar Hossain said, We have not come forward for ourselves. If the universal pension policy is implemented, talented students will not be interested in the teaching profession. The influx of unqualified teachers will benefit a particular group.’
If the notification of this policy is not withdrawn by June 4th, we will announce even larger programs, he added.
