Non-government teachers under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme have blocked Shahbag intersection, disrupting vehicular movement, as part of their ongoing protest for a three-point demand, including a 20 percent increase in house rent allowance.
The teachers marched from the Central Shaheed Minar and blocked Shahbag intersection around 2 PM today, Wednesday, October 15. The blockage has brought traffic to a standstill in the Shahbag area, causing severe hardship for commuters.
The teachers announced that the blockade will continue until their demands are met.
The action follows a sit-in program held by the MPO teachers at the Central Shaheed Minar since this morning. Yesterday, they attempted a "March to the Secretariat."
Teachers’ Demands and Stance:
• Teachers stated their work abstention would continue and that no teacher would participate in classroom activities until a gazette notification is issued for their demands.
• Their three core demands are: 20% house rent allowance, Tk 1,500 medical allowance, and 75% festival bonus for employees.
• They previously initiated a nationwide class boycott at all private MPO institutions last Monday in protest against the government's low-rate proposal and the recent police crackdown on their demonstration.
• The protesting teachers described the government's proposed increase in house rent and medical allowance as "inadequate and unrealistic." They are also demanding the implementation of a universal transfer policy for MPO teachers.
The ongoing class boycott has led to the stagnation of academic activities in schools and colleges across the country.
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