The public university teachers across the country have gone on a work abstention on Monday, halting all academic activities, including classes and examinations, declaring that they will not return to classes or conduct exams until the government withdraws the Universal Pension Scheme “Prottoy”.
The strike is being observed under the banner of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association (FBUTA).
Earlier on Sunday, the federation announced the programme during a press conference at the main gate of Dhaka University's Arts Faculty.
Sources indicate that classes and examinations, including regular, evening, and professional programmes, both online and offline, have been suspended at all public universities, including Dhaka University, Chittagong University, Rajshahi University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Jagannath University, Jahangirnagar University, and Khulna University.
Administrative activities, as well as the offices of department chairs, hall provosts, research centres, institutes, central libraries, dean offices, computer labs, and seminars, are also closed at these universities.
Professor Dr Md Motaher Hossain, president of the Jahangirnagar University Teachers' Association (JUTA), said, "All teachers of all public universities, including Dhaka University, have responded to our call and have been observing the work abstention. They will continue their indefinite strike until their demands are met."
"The FBUTA have been protesting against the discriminatory pension scheme for three months. We organised human chains and held one-hour and two-hour work strikes. We even observed half-day and full-day strikes while exams were ongoing. But now, we are forced to halt all academic and administrative activities," he said.
"We are doing this movement for the future well-being of our students. If the few benefits we have are revoked, talented students will no longer enter this profession. If talented individuals do not pursue teaching, the nation will be doomed," he added.
"We are observing work abstention at 35 public universities. We also boycotted the DU anniversary rally," said Nizamul Hoque, secretary general of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association.
Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said his ministry is monitoring the strike and will take necessary measures in due course.
During a visit to Dhaka University, this reporter observed that no classes or exams were held since the morning. Even the central library was closed, despite some students queuing from early morning to enter.
In addition to the teachers' strike, all DU staff members are also observing a work abstention, calling for the reinstatement of their previous pension plan.
Dr Md Nizamul Hoque Buiyan, president of the Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA), said they have planned a two-day-long activity with teachers' demands.
DUTA General Secretary Professor Zeenat Huda stated, "The Prottoy scheme aims to strip universities of their merit. This scheme is cutting our Eid and Pohela Boishakh bonuses. How much more will be taken away from us? We will not return to classes until our demands are met."
General Secretary of Jagannath University Teachers’ Association Dr Sheikh Mashrick Hasan said, “We warned that if our demands are not met, we would go on a complete work abstention. Since our demands have not been recognised, classes, examinations, and all other official work at our university will remain suspended. We are following the pre-announced programme.”
Mahbubur Rahman, president of the Chittagong University Teachers' Association, said, "We teachers from all over Bangladesh have been protesting for several demands, including the cancellation of the Universal Pension Scheme. We have been on strike for the last three working days, but we have not been contacted by the higher levels of the government."
GM Sadiqul Islam, president of the CUET Teachers' Association, said, "The teachers of CUET are in solidarity with the programme of the FBUTA, and we have also called for an all-out strike."
The Universal Pension Scheme began on August 17, 2023, with four schemes - Probashi, Progoti, Surokkha, and Somota. Later, the Prottoy scheme was introduced for officers and employees of all autonomous and state-owned organisations.
Despite the attractive returns promised after a specific tenure, enrolment in the scheme has been slow due to a lack of trust in the funds' returns, according to economists and sector insiders.
