MPO-listed teachers, staff continue protest for 7th consecutive day

Bangla Press Desk:  The MPO-listed teachers and staff have continued their protest at the Central Shaheed Minar for the seventh consecutive day, pressing a three-point demand.

Today, they also held a demonstration wearing black badges as a mark of protest. The protesters have been observing a hunger strike at the monument since 2:00pm on Friday.

Their demands include a 20% house rent allowance based on their basic salary, a medical allowance of Tk1,500 for both teachers and staff, and an increase in the festival allowance for employees to 75%.

Shanto Islam, joint member secretary of the MPO Education Nationalization Aspiration Alliance, said that 84 teachers joined the hunger strike starting at 2:00pm on Friday. “The number has increased today. Several have already fallen ill, and five have been treated and sent home,” he added.

Another protester, Mohammad Zainal Abedin, said they would continue their movement until their demands are fulfilled.

Earlier, on Tuesday, police barred the protesters when they attempted a long march toward the Secretariat. On Wednesday, they blocked the Shahbagh intersection, disrupting traffic in the area. They had also planned a “March to Jamuna” programme on Thursday, but later suspended it.

Following a discussion on Thursday, the interim government proposed a 5% house rent allowance starting from November. The protesting teachers and staff rejected the offer, declaring that they would continue their movement.

Education Adviser Professor CR Abrar told the media that the finance ministry had informed them it could provide a 5% house rent allowance from November, with a minimum of Tk2,000. “Due to financial constraints, it is not possible to offer more right now. This has been conveyed to the teachers and staff, but they did not agree,” he added.

The protesters have insisted that the allowance should be increased by 10% now, with a further 10% increase next year. 

BP/SP