University teachers are gearing up for a complete strike, protesting the universal pension 'Prattay' scheme. Since its announcement, teachers at public universities have been vocal about cancelling it. They plan to start with half-day strikes on June 25, 26, and 27, exempting examinations, followed by a full-day strike on June 30.
Teachers have threatened a continuous strike from July 1 if the government includes them in the public pension scheme. Over the past two months, they have organised various protests. On June 4, they held a half-day strike under the Public University Teachers Association Federation, issuing a new ultimatum to the government. The ultimatum ends on Monday, June 24. If unmet, teachers will proceed with the half-day strikes, leading to a full-day strike on June 30. A complete strike will commence on July 1 if demands remain unmet.
Leaders of the Federation of Teachers' Associations and officials of the National Pension Authority confirm that the government has not changed its stance. The notification including university teachers in the Pratyya scheme remains firm, and teacher leaders are resolute in their demands.
Professor Dr. Zeenat Huda, General Secretary of the Dhaka University Teachers Association, affirmed that the full-day strike will occur on June 30, and all university activities will halt on July 1. Professor Dr. Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Teachers' Association Federation, reiterated their determination, emphasising that their programme will begin on June 25 if the demands are not met by June 24.
A meeting of the Federation of Public University Teachers' Association leaders is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, to discuss the implementation of the strike programme. National Pension Authority officials, who chose to remain anonymous, stated that the universal pension scheme will proceed without excluding university teachers.
They noted that if other government employees accept it, university teachers should too. The scheme is set to include all government employees by July 1, 2025.
On May 20, the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association held a press conference demanding the withdrawal of the 'discriminatory notification' related to the universal pension scheme, advocating for the continuation of the previous pension system. They announced a series of protests if their demands were not met.
