Judicial service employees warn of shutdown if demands ignored

The Bangladesh Judicial Service Employees Association has warned of launching strict programmes, including a continuous shutdown, if the demands of subordinate court officers and employees are ignored in the upcoming report of the Bangladesh Judicial Service Pay Commission 2025.

In a statement issued today (5 October), the association's President Rezwan Khandaker and General Secretary Kazi Md Salahuddin expressed frustration over the lack of discussion on the employees' demands in the commission's first meeting. 

They demanded inclusion of subordinate court officers and staff in the 7th–12th grades of the existing Judicial Service Pay Scale and called for salary and allowances to be paid accordingly.

The association noted that while the Pay Commission's meeting on 29 September discussed the structure of judges' pay and allowances, it completely overlooked the legitimate concerns of more than 20,000 auxiliary officers and employees who play a vital role in the judiciary's daily functions. Despite plans for consultations with key stakeholders on 9 October, subordinate court employees have not been invited to participate.

The statement also highlighted that since the separation of the judiciary from the executive branch in 2007, a separate six-grade pay scale has been introduced for judges, but subordinate court employees remain excluded. 

"If judges are the heart of the court, the employees are its nervous system," the release stated, underscoring their indispensable contribution to judicial operations.

Association President Rezwan Khandaker said the chief justice's roadmap for an independent judiciary does not reflect the fair demands of court employees.

General Secretary Salahuddin added that if no progress is made in addressing these demands in the upcoming discussions, the association will proceed with a nationwide protest and shutdown programme.