Hasnat tells MPO teachers to remain on streets until demands met

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (South), labelled the interim government “hypocritical” and urged MPO-registered teachers to remain on the streets until their demands are met.

He addressed teachers and staff gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar on Sunday.

 “Dear teachers, until this hypocritical caretaker government approves your demands for house rent and medical allowances, do not leave the streets. This is not charity from the state; it is your right,” he said.

He called on teachers to continue their protest at Shaheed Minar until their claims were accepted.

Earlier in the day, teachers began a sit-in in front of the National Press Club, demanding increases in house rent and other allowances.

At 1:55pm, police asked them to move from the road outside the Press Club to Shaheed Minar. Part of the crowd refused, jeering at police. The police responded by firing several sound grenades, using batons, and deploying water cannons to clear the road.

Hasnat said, “The way teachers were beaten cannot represent any civilised state. Immediate apologies must be issued for this disgraceful act. Those arrested must be released before sunset.”

On Sept 30, the government raised house rent for MPO teachers by Tk 500, a move the educators rejected, prompting further protests. On Oct 6, the education authorities recommended raising house rent to Tk 2,000–3,000 via the Finance Department.

MPO teachers receive salaries under the national pay scale, plus Tk 500 medical allowance and previously Tk 1,000 house rent allowance, now raised by Tk 500. They also receive festival bonuses, formerly 25 percent twice a year, now 50 per cent. Teachers are now demanding 20 per cent house rent, Tk 1,500 medical allowance, and 75 per cent festival bonus.

Hasnat added, “Your request is modest; even for a basic check-up, Tk 1,500 is needed. No hospital in Bangladesh provides treatment for Tk 1,500. Those responsible for health reforms go to Singapore for treatment -- what shame is this? Officials should share responsibility for domestic healthcare.”

He also accused administrative syndicates of influencing promotions and called for swift action to raise house rent to 20 per cent of base salary.

NCP Senior Joint Convenor Samantha Sharmin addressed the teachers’ protest.

MPO teachers announced they would advance their strike and begin a continuous work stoppage and sit-in at Central Shaheed Minar starting Monday, in protest of repeated police attacks.