Bangladesh Secretariat officials and Employees Unity Council will hold a grand rally at the Secretariat on Wednesday (Dec 4) to press home their nine-point demands. 

They have also demanded the removal of a joint secretary over alleged delays in meeting their demands and accusations of misconduct.

The announcement came on Thursday (Nov 28) during a program held inside the Secretariat under the council’s banner with its president Md Badiul Kabir in the chair.

“We are committed to achieving our demands and urge the authorities to act without delay,” said Badiul Kabir while addressing the gathering.

The nine-point demands include:

• Withdrawal of Unjust Orders: Revoking orders imposed during the previous autocratic regime and ensuring retrospective seniority and financial benefits similar to regular employees.
• Pay Scale Reform: Forming a national pay commission with employee representatives to eliminate pay discrepancies. The council has also proposed reducing the existing 20 pay grades to 10.
• Cost of Living Allowance: Implementing a 50% dearness allowance for all employees until a full pay scale revision is introduced.
• Pay Grade Adjustment: Elevating the pay grade of office assistants from 20th to 17th grade.
• Pension Reforms: Reintroducing the 100% pension gratuity system.
• Career Advancement: Reinstating the time-scale and selection-grade systems for all employees.
• Tax Relief: Exempting annual incomes up to Tk 5 lakh from income tax.
• Allowance Parity: Introducing Secretariat allowances similar to those provided at the President’s Office and rationing benefits akin to the Ministry of Defense.
• Retirement Age Extension: Raising the retirement age from 59 to 62 years.
• Additionally, they demanded appropriate job titles aligned with the roles of Secretariat staff, as well as fair distribution of promotional opportunities.

The event was attended by key leaders, including General Secretary Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Chief Advisor Md Towaha, and other senior representatives like Md Shahin, Belal Hossain, and Sumon. 

Officials from the Ministry of Finance and Public Administration, including Nuruzzaman, Arif Hossain, and Nazrul Islam, also addressed the gathering.

The Unity Council emphasized their commitment to achieving justice and equity for Secretariat employees and warned against further delays in addressing their demands.

BDST: 1555 HRS, NOV 28, 2024
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