DU teachers continue all-out strike; classes, exams suspended

The Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) continued their all-out work abstention and sit-in programme for the eighth consecutive day on Monday, demanding the withdrawal of the ‘Prottoy Scheme’ under the Universal Pension. 

The classes and examinations remained suspended. 

The teachers observed sit-in programme in front of the main gate of Arts Building at 12pm. 

They started their all-out work abstention on July 1 and announced the closure of all kinds of classes and examinations. 

DUTA President and the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers’ Association Secretary General Professor Dr Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan said we talked about the matter with the government. We told them that we will start work abstention if the pension scheme is not scrapped. But they did not accept our demand. Hence, we first observed a half-day work abstention and later observed a full-day work abstention. After that, we started all-out work abstention and will not return to class until our demands are met. 

DUTA General Secretary Professor Dr Zinat Huda said we have been observing work abstention and sit-in programme for a long time demanding three-point demand. We will return to classroom with victory.  

Notably, the Universal Pension Scheme started its journey on August 17, 2023 with four schemes: Prabashi, Pragati, Suraksha, and Equality.

On March 13 this year, 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.

MHA/MIT