Finance Minister Calls Teachers' Movement Against Prottoy Pension Scheme Irrational

Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali has criticized the ongoing teachers' movement against the Prottoy pension scheme, labeling it as irrational and unjustified. The finance minister made these remarks during a discussion with reporters after meeting with Yingming Yang, Vice President for South, Central, and West Asia at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at his office at the Planning Ministry on Tuesday.

No Logical Basis for Protests

Minister Mahmood Ali reiterated that he finds no logical basis for the university teachers' demand to cancel the Prottoy pension scheme. Despite the ongoing indefinite strike by teachers and employees of public universities across the country, the minister stood firm on the government's stance regarding the pension scheme.

Teachers' Indefinite Strike Continues

The indefinite strike, called by the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers Association, has led to a boycott of classes, examinations, and administrative work. The protest, which entered its second consecutive day on Tuesday, is aimed at excluding teachers and employees from what they describe as a "discriminatory" pension scheme.

Prottoy Pension Scheme Overview

The Prottoy pension scheme, introduced by the National Pension Authority, is a recent addition to the Universal Pension Scheme which started on August 17, 2023. The Universal Pension Scheme initially included four schemes: Prabashi, Pragati, Suraksha, and Equality. The Prottoy scheme was later introduced specifically for officers and employees of autonomous and state-owned organizations.

Positive Outlook on ADB Support

In response to a separate question, Minister Mahmood Ali expressed satisfaction with the support from the ADB, noting that it has exceeded expectations.

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