Dhaka, Sep 14 (V7N) – The National Pay Commission is set to finalize the new salary structure six months ahead of schedule, its Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan, former Finance Secretary and Chairman of the Rural Work Support Foundation, informed Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus at a meeting held Sunday afternoon at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Khan said that while inflation and GDP have steadily increased over the past decade, public sector salaries have not risen proportionately. To address this gap, the commission is working on:

  • Designing a modern salary structure aligned with current realities.

  • Creating a separate pay framework for specialized professions.

  • Introducing salary structures that account for income tax obligations.

  • Reviewing allowances such as house rent, medical, and transport.

  • Establishing mechanisms to adjust salaries in line with inflation.

  • Ensuring timely pensions and retirement benefits.

  • Conducting a comprehensive evaluation of work quality of officials and employees.

He added that the commission is also reviewing rationalization of financial benefits like official phone, car, and mobile facilities, and aims to eliminate discrepancies in salary grades and increments. “Although we were given six months to determine the salary structure, we are confident of submitting the final report earlier,” Khan said.

During the meeting, Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus emphasized the need for a rational and sustainable salary structure for government and autonomous bodies. He also underscored the importance of health insurance for officials, noting that even with higher pay, families often face financial ruin due to medical expenses. “If there is insurance, the family is safe. Neighboring countries already have such models,” he said.

This is the first National Pay Commission in a decade, tasked with reviewing salaries, allowances, and benefits for employees of government, semi-government, autonomous organizations, state-owned banks and financial institutions, approved universities, and state-owned industries.

The meeting was attended by Financial Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Principal Secretary to the Chief Advisor Sirajuddin Mia, and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Mokhles Ur Rahman, among others.

END/SMA/AJ