After an 11-year wait, government employees remain highly uncertain about the implementation of the much-anticipated 9th pay scale. While many expect the new salary structure to take effect on July 1, the government has yet to make an official announcement.
Employees hope the upcoming FY 2026-27 budget, scheduled for June 11, will finally provide clarity. So far, all reports regarding the pay scale have stemmed from media rumors rather than official statements from the Ministry of Finance or the Pay Commission. This lack of transparency, which began during the interim government, leaves employees questioning when and how the new scale will be applied.
"We are concerned by the government's silence," said Abdul Malek, convener of the Bangladesh Government Employees Welfare Association. "Despite daily official briefings on other issues, we still have no clear announcement regarding the upcoming pay scale."
Malek noted that the Prime Minister promised a new pay scale in the election manifesto. Employees expect the government’s upcoming Tk 9.30 lakh crore national budget to allocate the necessary funds to meet this long-standing demand.
While the Association welcomes the initiative, leaders are alarmed by reports of a phased implementation. In a joint statement on May 31, Malek and Member-Secretary Ashiqul Islam demanded that the government implement 100 percent of the basic salary in the first phase.
They argued that living costs have surged over the past decade, forcing many lower-ranking employees to take part-time jobs just to survive.
Media reports suggest the government plans to roll out the 9th pay scale in three phases over three years. Association leaders argue that historically, a 20 percent dearness allowance preceded new pay scales, followed by a full basic salary rollout in phase one and allowances in phase two. They are urging the government to follow this established precedent.
Government insiders indicate that full implementation could indeed span three fiscal years. Under the draft plan, employees might receive only 50 percent of the new basic salary starting July 1, with the remaining 50 percent added in FY 2027-28. Allowances and additional benefits would not be introduced until FY 2028-29.
This proposed slow rollout is the primary source of growing dissatisfaction among government workers.
All speculation is expected to conclude next week. The budget session of the 13th Parliament opens on June 7, and Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury will present the FY 2026-27 budget on June 11. The budget address will finally reveal the government's definitive plan for the 9th pay scale and determine whether employee fears are justified.
