BM Desk: The Ministry of Finance has sanctioned a house rent allowance of 5% of basic salary or at least Tk2,000 for MPO-listed teachers from non-government educational institutions who have been protesting for various demands for eight days in a row.

The ministry today (19 October) approved the increase in house rent allowance for MPO-listed teachers and staff of non-government educational institutions, who have been demonstrating for eight straight days.

A notification issued by Deputy Secretary Mariam Mitu of the Regulation Wing-1 in the Finance Division of the ministry declared: “Given the aforementioned subject and references, and taking into account the current budgetary constraints of the government, authorization has been provided for the disbursement of house rent allowance to MPO-listed educators and staff employed in non-government educational institutions at a rate of 5% of the basic salary (with a minimum of Tk2,000), contingent upon meeting the following criteria.”

A copy of the announcement released by the Ministry of Finance. Image: Acquired

The notification stipulates various conditions for the payment of this allowance, including: The previously mentioned house rent allowance must be modified later based on the National Pay Scale.

The conditions for appointment need to be met in alignment with the ‘Non-Government Educational Institutions (School and College) Teacher-Employee MPO Policy-2021,’ ‘Non-Government Educational Institutions (Madrasah) Teacher-Employee MPO Policy 2018 (revised on 23 November 2020),’ and ‘Non-Government Educational Institutions (Vocational, Business Management, Agricultural Diploma, and Fisheries Diploma) Manpower Structure and MPO Policy-2018,’ along with all associated notifications, directives, circulars, and policies issued by the government.

Moreover, non-government teachers and employees listed by MPO will not be eligible for any back pay concerning this allowance increase while adhering closely to all financial regulations during the allowance distribution.

The notification further indicates that if any discrepancies are discovered in the spending associated with this allowance in the future, the entity responsible for processing the payment will be deemed accountable for the irregularity.

Teachers and employees on the MPO list have been demonstrating, insisting on a rise in the house rent allowance. In August, a large rally took place in Dhaka where they called for the house rent allowance to be determined as a percentage of their base salary.

The finance ministry released a notification on 30 September, raising the house rent by just Tk500. When the notification emerged on Teacher’s Day, October 5, it faced significant backlash. The teachers then dismissed that notification and have been protesting ever since.