No classes, no exams: Public uni teachers start their indefinite strike for withdrawal of new pension scheme
With the demand for the withdrawal of the “Prottoy” universal pension scheme, teachers at public universities nationwide, including Dhaka University, suspended all academic and administrative activities indefinitely starting today (1 July).
No classes or exams have taken place on the campus since this morning.
“Our two-day-long activities will begin at 12pm today in front of the Faculty of Arts,” said Nizam Haq Bhuiyan, general secretary of Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (DUTA).
Today is also the 104th founding anniversary of Dhaka University. Students were seen making preparations to observe the day amid light rain.
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.
In addition to public universities, employees working in autonomous, state-owned, and other statutory organisations, along with their subordinates, will also fall under the pension scheme, which is set to be implemented from Monday.
Public university teachers have been protesting against their inclusion in the Prottoy scheme since it was announced. They have vowed to continue their protest until the Prottoy scheme is withdrawn.
Meanwhile, the National Pension Authority said that they are ready to implement the scheme from Monday as per the government’s decision.
