Teachers prepare for Shahbag blockade over three-point demands

Non-government MPO-listed teachers, continuing their protests over a 20 percent house rent allowance on basic pay and two other demands, have issued an ultimatum for a Shahbag blockade if no government notification is released by noon today. Having observed work stoppages and various demonstrations in the capital for days, a large number of teachers gathered at Shaheed Minar from Wednesday morning to prepare for the blockade, though leaders announced a slight delay in the programme.

Delawar Hossain Azizi, member-secretary of the MPO-listed Teachers Nationalisation Aspiring Alliance and president of the Bangladesh Madrassa Teachers and Employees Forum, announced on Facebook, “Senior NCIP leaders will arrive at Shaheed Minar by 12:45pm. Hence, the Shahbag blockade will start with a slight delay, Inshallah.”

On Wednesday morning, teachers began assembling at Shaheed Minar, their numbers swelling as the day progressed. They were seen chanting slogans and displaying banners and festoons to assert their stance. Slogans like “End salary discrimination!” and “Protect teachers’ dignity!” echoed across the Shaheed Minar premises, which was packed to capacity. Some teachers took shelter under trees along nearby roads. Leaders vowed to continue the programme until their demands are met.

The protesting teachers said their legitimate demands have been ignored for too long, forcing them onto the streets. “We gave an ultimatum for a notification by noon today for the Shahbag blockade. The government is ignoring us and being uncooperative, yet we are cooperating. If they see this as weakness, we won’t leave the streets without our demands met. Harsher programmes will follow. If police attack during the blockade, we’ll respond through our movement,” they warned.

Their three-point demands are: a 20 percent house rent allowance on basic pay, Tk 1,500 medical allowance, and a 75 percent festival bonus for employees.

On Tuesday afternoon, police halted their long march toward the Secretariat. The teachers then staged a sit-in in front of the High Court, causing traffic congestion around Press Club and nearby roads, inconveniencing commuters. They returned to Shaheed Minar around 8:30pm.