University teachers’ protest against pension scheme is unreasonable: Ali

Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali today
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 relations 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. (BSS)