A nationwide six-day programme has been declared by the Bangladesh Government Officers and Employees Welfare Association, demanding the swift implementation of the ninth national pay scale for public sector employees.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, 1 April, through a statement signed by the organisation’s convenor Abdul Malek and member secretary Ashikul Islam. The association outlined a series of coordinated activities scheduled to take place from 5 April to 10 April across the country, aimed at pressing home their demand for an updated salary structure.
According to the statement, more than a decade has passed without any revision to the national pay scale, resulting in what they describe as a severe imbalance between income levels and the rising cost of living. The organisation argues that since the introduction of the eighth pay scale in 2015, essential expenditures—including food commodities, housing rent, medical services, education, and utility costs such as gas, electricity, and water—have increased significantly, placing growing financial pressure on government employees.
The association further emphasised that under the current economic conditions, it has become increasingly difficult for many public servants to maintain a decent standard of living within existing salary brackets. They therefore described the introduction of a ninth pay scale as both urgent and unavoidable.
In addition, the group has called on the government to allocate sufficient funds for the implementation of the proposed pay structure in the forthcoming 2026–27 national budget. They also urged swift action in line with commitments reportedly made in electoral manifestos, requesting direct intervention from senior policymakers.
The planned programme includes the submission of memoranda to the Prime Minister through Deputy Commissioners in all district headquarters, along with peaceful rallies and discussion meetings at upazila, district, and divisional levels. Organisers stressed that the initiative is non-political and intended solely to advance legitimate demands through peaceful and democratic means.
They also warned that failure to address the issue promptly could lead to more extensive movements in the future, although they reiterated their preference for dialogue and orderly negotiation over confrontation.
Schedule of the Six-Day Programme
| Date | Programme Activity | Location Level |
|---|---|---|
| 5 April | Submission of memoranda via DC offices | All district headquarters |
| 6 April | Continuation of memorandum submission | All district headquarters |
| 7 April | Memoranda submission and dialogue meetings | District level |
| 8 April | Preparatory discussion meetings | Upazila and district levels |
| 9 April | Peaceful demonstrations and gatherings | Divisional cities |
| 10 April | Representative assemblies and discussions | Upazila, district and divisional levels |
The organisation maintains that prolonged stagnation in salary structure revision has intensified financial stress among government employees. While expressing frustration, leaders of the association reiterated their commitment to a peaceful, structured, and lawful process in pursuit of their demands, expressing hope that the authorities will soon take effective steps to address the issue.