MPO teachers pause protests after promises of pay rise from Eid-ul-Azha

Teachers under the monthly pay order, or MPO, scheme have relented their demonstrations after former education advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud promised them a pay rise from Eid-ul-Azha.

Delawar Hossain Azizi, member secretary of the organisation leading the movement, announced the decision at the National Press Club on Thursday, ending their three-week movement over a 100 percent festival allowance, permanent jobs under the MPO scheme and house rent and medical allowance at the same rate as government employees.

“Showing respect to teachers and employees demonstrating for permanent jobs under the MPO scheme, the education advisor in his farewell speech announced the increasing of festival bonus from Eid-ul-Azha and house rent, medical and recreation allowances, along with other allowances from supplementary and next budgets,” he said.

“With faith and respect in the education advisor, the MPO-Bhukto Shikkha Jatiyakaran Protyashi Jote [Alliance Seeking Nationalisation of the MPO-listed Educational Institutions] has decided to halt protests until Eid-ul-Azha.”

The MPO teachers and employees held non-stop sit-in protests and went on symbolic hunger strikes over the past 22 days to press for their demands.

Delawar, however, mentioned that in case the authorities “deviate” from making good on their promises from Eid-ul-Azha, the protesters will “take to the streets again”.

On Wednesday, Wahiduddin, while speaking after handing over the duties of education advisor to CR Abrar at the Secretariat, delivered hope to MPO teachers, saying their allowances will be increased from Eid-ul-Azha.

He said: “We’ll be able to increase their festival bonus, house rent and medical allowance at least by a bit from next year’s budget.”

“I’m not announcing here by how much. But I know because that much is within… the budget for this year and next year,” he said.