Rejecting the government’s recent circular increasing house rent allowance by only 5 percent, MPO-listed teachers and employees of non-government educational institutions held a mass rally at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Monday (October 20).
The teachers began their ninth consecutive day of sit-in, demanding an increase in house rent, medical, and festival allowances. They declared they would not return to classrooms until their three-point demand is met.
Leaders said several political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Gana Odhikar Parishad, and NCP, have expressed solidarity with the movement. A BNP delegation is also expected to join the rally.
The protests intensified Sunday after police blocked a hunger march, prompting teachers to announce an indefinite hunger strike and total work abstention.
On October 19, the Finance Division issued a notice granting a 5% house rent allowance, with a minimum of Tk 2,000, citing budget constraints. Earlier, a Tk 500 flat raise announced on September 30 had already been rejected by the teachers, who called it insufficient.
Teacher leaders warned that their movement will continue until a revised circular meets their demands.
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