Interim govt to finalise new pay structure, next govt expected to implement it: Finance adviser
On discontent among public servants if the process remains incomplete, Salehuddin said such frustration would be “unwarranted.”
The interim government will leave behind a framework for a new pay structure for public servants, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said today (12 November).
The next elected government is expected to take the matter forward seriously, the adviser said while speaking to reporters after meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs at the Secretariat.
Asked if the government has been able to finalise the new pay scale yet, Salehuddin said, "The task of the pay commission is highly complex. They work independently. We have no role in their process. There are separate commissions for civil and defence pay. Once all three reports come in, they will need to be reconciled to ensure consistency, which takes time."
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He added, "We will try to provide a general framework once the reports are received. If possible, we will complete the reconciliation. The key challenge here is ensuring the financial resources."
Addressing concerns about possible discontent among public servants if the process remains incomplete, Salehuddin said such frustration would be "unwarranted."
"After eight years of waiting, we took the initiative to move forward. So, rather than criticism, we deserve appreciation for trying to leave a framework in place. I believe the next government will take it seriously," he said.
Salehuddin also noted that the government was examining three different pay structures to harmonise them before implementation.
"They just need a bit of patience…We have the resources, but we must also consider other budgetary priorities like health, education, and development spending."
Responding to a United Nations report estimating that 16 million Bangladeshis face food insecurity and 1.6 million children suffer from malnutrition, the finance adviser said, "They follow certain international norms.
"But Bangladesh is not facing severe hunger. In fact, we are doing better than many neighbouring countries."
"We held a meeting the day before yesterday to ensure sufficient food stock," he added.
"To stay on the safe side, we slightly raised the prices of paddy and rice. This will help boost reserves while protecting farmers from losses."
