Dhaka: National Pay Commission Chairman and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan today informed Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus that the new national pay structure for public sector officials and employees will be finalized before the stipulated six-month timeline. “We have already started work in full swing. Although we have been given six months to determine the salary structure, we hope to submit the final report before that,” he said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Zakir, who is also a former finance secretary, made these remarks during a meeting with the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna in the city this afternoon. A delegation of the commission led by Zakir attended the meeting. During the discussions, he highlighted that salaries had not kept pace with inflation and GDP growth over the past decade.
In addition to determining a timely salary structure, he mentioned that the commission is working on developing a separate salary structure for specialized job categories, addressing income tax considerations, determining allowances such as house rent, medical, and transportation, and establishing a method for adjusting salaries in line with inflation. The commission is also evaluating retirement benefits and the quality of work by officers and employees.
Zakir further stated that recommendations will be made to formulate a salary structure based on these evaluations, rationalize financial benefits such as telephone, car, and mobile phone allowances, and eliminate discrepancies in salary grades and increments. The Chief Adviser instructed the commission to establish a reasonable salary framework for both government and autonomous officials and employees, ensuring it aligns with current economic realities.
Professor Yunus emphasized the importance of introducing a health insurance scheme for officials, stating, “This is crucial. Even if salaries are raised, one illness can wipe out a family’s savings. With insurance, families can live with security. Such models already exist in neighboring countries.”
The government has established the National Pay Commission after a decade to devise a new salary structure for government and autonomous officials. This commission will review and recommend the salaries, allowances, and other benefits for officials and employees across government, semi-government, autonomous organizations, state-owned banks, financial institutions, approved universities, and state-owned industrial establishments under the national pay scale.
Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser’s Principal Secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah, and Secretary of the Public Administration Ministry Md Mokhles Ur Rahman were present at the meeting, among others.