Staff Reporter:
Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali yesterday said that the ongoing strike by university teachers protesting inclusion of the new recruits in the Prottoy pension scheme is unreasonable.
“I don’t think it (teachers’ movement) is logical,” Ali said responding to a query from a reporter whether the ongoing movement by the university teachers protesting the new recruits in Prottoy pension scheme is logical.
The Finance Minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with Yingming Yang, vice president (South, Central & west Asia) of Asian Development Bank (ADB) at his ERD office this afternoon.
Asked whether there is any possibility of discussion with the protesting teachers, Ali said, “Wait and see what happens,”
However, the minister declined to make further comments regarding the matter. With demand for the withdrawal of the Prottoy pension scheme, teachers at public universities, including Dhaka University, started an indefinite strike from yesterday suspending all academic activities.
The university teachers announced that they will continue their indefinite strike and will not return to classes until their demands are met.
Thirty-five public universities across the country are united in opposing this scheme.
On 13 March, the government introduced the Prottoy scheme for employees who join public universities and other organisations that fall under the scheme from 1 July 2024 onwards. However, those who joined these institutions before 1 July 2024 will continue to receive pension benefits as before.
Meanwhile, about the outcomes of his meeting with the ADB Vice President, the Finance Minister said that the overall relation of Bangladesh with the ADB is very fine.
“The ADB has helped us beyond our expectations over the years and they would continue to do so…we’re very much pleased.” He added.
