MPO teachers reject 5% housing circular, protests to continue

Non-government teachers under Bangladesh’s Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme have rejected the government circular setting a house rent allowance at 5% of basic salary with a Tk 2,000 minimum, and vowed to continue their movement, according to a government notification issued on Sunday (October 19).

Following the circular’s issuance, teachers gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar, chanting for a 20% rate and addressing the crowd from different districts.

Organisers said a “hunger march” was planned for later in the day, with participants assembling at the monument carrying plates and bowls to symbolise their demands.

Mohammad Shah Alam, member secretary of the Bangladesh Non-Government Teachers-Employees Forum, said: “We do not accept the government’s decision. We want 20%.

Not even 1% less will be acceptable to teachers.” He added that a delegation had gone to the ministry for talks, after which further programme announcements would be made.

In a Facebook post, Delwar Hossain Azizi, member secretary of the Alliance for Nationalisation of Education, termed the 5% house rent circular an “initial victory” but said their programmes would continue until notifications are issued for a 20% house rent allowance, a Tk 1,500 medical allowance, and a 75% festival allowance for employees.