New Govt Pay Scale Notification Soon: Finance Minister

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has assured that a new pay scale for government employees will be announced shortly dispelling rumors that International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan conditions could delay its implementation.

Speaking to a national daily on Wednesday the minister confirmed that the Ninth Pay Commission's framework is nearing completion and will soon go to the cabinet for final approval.

Addressing concerns about IMF restrictions he clarified "The new salary structure has nothing to do with the IMF loan. Work is underway, and it will not take long to issue a notification." Finance Ministry sources added that the IMF has not opposed the pay scale; they merely advised the government to strengthen revenue collection to support the increased expenditure.

A 10-member review committee led by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani is currently finalizing its recommendations. This committee is reviewing the original report submitted in January by the Zakir Ahmed Khan-led Ninth National Pay Commission.

The commission proposed retaining the existing 20-grade system while increasing basic salaries by 100 to 140 percent. If approved the minimum basic salary will rise from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the highest grade will increase from Tk 78,000 to Tk 1,60,000.

During his June 11 budget speech the finance minister acknowledged that government employees have endured rising inflation under the same pay structure for 11 years. To alleviate this, he previously announced that the new pay scale would be implemented in phases retroactively effective from July 1.