Govt officials in grade 13, 14 pay scale demand upgradation to 10

Bangladesh Administrative Officers' Unity Council has demanded an upgradation from grade 13 and 14 to grade 10 of the national pay scale for officials in different government offices, directorates and agencies.

The council demanded an announcement from Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in this regard at a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) today (1 February).

The council's secretary general said it would form a human chain in front of the National Press Club on 6 February, and march towards the residence of the chief adviser from there.

He also warned of work abstention to paralyse the country's administrative system.

By demanding an upgrade from the lower grades to the upper grades, the council is asking for various low-tier positions to be changed to the post of administrative officer.

Chief assistant, upper division assistant, peon, accountant, cashier, assistant, typist are among the positions.

Before implementing the National Pay Scale 2015, these positions were termed third-division posts, while grade 10 positions were known as second-division posts.

In 1995, the chief assistant and higher division assistant positions in various ministries at the Secretariat were changed to administrative officer positions, said speakers at the press conference.

Later, many other government agencies, including the University Grants Commission and the Supreme Court, saw changes from the lower tier posts in grade 13 and 14 to grade 10, they added.

Abu Nasir Khan, president of the council, said, "The government officials in grades 13 and 14 have been facing discrimination for the past 29 years. Although the present government was formed to end discrimination, they are not doing anything much."

According to data from the Ministry of Public Administration, there are 32,452 posts in grade 13, 27,414 posts in grade 14, and 74,931 in grade 10.

However, more people are working in these grades, with the highest number of people employed in grade 13.

Speakers further stated that many employees at the bottom grades have reached the ceiling for their salaries and are not getting any promotions and increments. "Meanwhile, those government employees in grade 10 are receiving promotions as usual".

President Nasir said although proposals were previously sent from 31 directorates to the public administration ministry, the ministry sent them back without any consideration.