JU Correspondent :The teachers of Jahangirnagar University (JU) observed a two-hour work abstention programme on Monday resenting the newly-proposed National Pay-scale.They observed a sit-in programme also in front of the New Arts building under the banner of JU Teachers’ Association (JUTA).Under the protest programme, the University teachers didn’t take their regular academic activities from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm yesterday to press home for implementation of their demands including restructuring their salaries.JUTA observed the work abstain programme in response to the call given by the Bangladesh University Teachers’ Federation. Earlier, the teachers of the University formed a human chain where they rejected the wage-structure, terming it disgraceful and discriminatory as their salary grades were downgraded by two steps.Prof Khabir Uddin, President of JUTA said, “If the government doesn’t take necessary steps within 30 June, we will announce tougher movement to fulfil our demands.” “The newly proposed pay-scale has downgraded them by two grades, which shocked all of the varsity teachers of the country,” Mafruhi Sattar, General Secretary of JUTA said this.JU teachers demanded immediate revision of the proposed National Pay-scale, making senior professors and senior secretaries of the government equal and ensuring the salary structure of the associate professor, assistant professor and the lecturer respectful of the country.Among others, Prof ATM Atiqur Rahman, Chairman of History Department, Prof Abdur Rauf, Chairman of Mathematics Department, Prof Kamrul Ahsan of Philosophy Department, Prof Shahedur Rashid of Geography and Environment spoke at the sit-in programme.
