9th Pay Scale: Government employees, MPO teachers to get benefits

Discussions are underway to increase several financial benefits for government employees as part of the preparation for implementing the 9th National Pay Scale. Employees in grades 11 to 20 are expected to benefit the most from the new pay structure.

MPO-listed teachers and staff will also receive the benefits of the new pay scale. However, the pay scale for private teachers and staff will be implemented separately.

Among the proposed benefits, the most notable is the increase in tiffin allowance. Currently set at Tk 200 per month, it has been recommended to increase it fivefold to Tk 1,000 under the new pay scale.

Since the implementation of the 8th Pay Scale in 2015, this is seen as one of the biggest changes in the allowance structure for government employees.

According to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), MPO-listed teachers and staff will also receive the 9th Pay Scale. However, their salaries and other benefits will not be implemented simultaneously with government employees.

The government employees' pay scale will be implemented first, followed by the teachers and staff at a later date.

Prof Mohammad Monir Hossain, Director (Finance and Procurement) of DSHE, said the pay scale for government employees will come first, as per previous practice. MPO-listed teachers and staff will receive the pay scale slightly later.

According to the Ministry of Finance and Pay Commission sources, the current tiffin allowance is not in line with reality given the high inflation and rising prices of essential goods. The proposed increase is aimed at easing the cost of living for lower and middle-income employees.

In addition to the tiffin allowance, other important benefits have been proposed. These include raising the minimum basic salary for grade 20 employees from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000.

A proposal has also been made to increase the Pohela Boishakh festival allowance from 20 per cent to 50 per cent of the basic salary. A monthly education allowance of Tk 2,000 for employees' children is also under consideration.

For the first time, health insurance benefits are being considered for government employees and their families. An additional Tk 2,000 special child care allowance for employees with disabled children has also been proposed.

These benefits are still at the proposal stage. The 9th National Pay Scale gazette will be published after approval from the cabinet committee and the government.