Teachers and employees under the MPO (Monthly Pay Order) scheme have been holding a sit-in for seven consecutive days at the Central Shaheed Minar, demanding a government notification to increase house rent, medical, and festival allowances. As part of their ongoing movement, they plan to hold a black flag rally today, Saturday (October 18) at noon.
Leaders of the Education Nationalization Expectation Alliance said they will not leave Shaheed Minar until their demands are met. The alliance’s member secretary, Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, stated that the sit-in, which began on October 10, has now turned into a hunger strike. Around 400,000 primary school teachers have expressed solidarity with the movement.
Azizi added that the hunger strike was triggered by the discourteous behavior of the education adviser and the government’s failure to issue the promised allowance increase. Today at 12 p.m., teachers and employees will march with black flags to protest what they describe as the state’s negligence.
He said, “It is time to boycott those who stand against our rightful demands. No school bells will ring, no classes will be held—Shaheed Minar is now our home.”
Earlier, on Sunday, there were clashes and sound grenade explosions during a sit-in in front of the National Press Club. Following that, on Monday, MPO-listed teachers across the country declared an indefinite work stoppage, suspending all classes.
Although the government later announced a 5% increase in house rent, teachers rejected the decision. They vowed to continue their movement until the government issues an official order granting a 20% increase in house rent, 1,500 taka medical allowance, and 75% festival allowance for non-teaching staff.