The Teachers-Employees Nationalisation Alliance and the Retired Teachers-Employees Combined Forum announced a new programme over 10 demands for MPO-listed private teachers and staff. At a Wednesday press conference at the National Press Club, the groups called for inclusion in the ninth national pay scale and nationalisation of their jobs, setting August 31 as the deadline for meeting the demands.

Their demands include salaries under existing rules, nationalisation to remove disparities, faster transfers, full festival allowances, government-rate housing allowances and MPO enrolment for recognised institutions. They also sought replacement of NTRCA with PSC-2 in teacher recruitment, appointments for holders of first through twelfth registrations, raising retirement age to 65, and leave and a second night guard for night guards.

Chief adviser Jasim Uddin Ahmad alleged that planned lump-sum payments from the Welfare Trust and Retirement Benefits Board from August 15 would be lower than previous benefits. He said no nationalisation initiative had appeared despite nearly 180 days of the government, while a declared 10 percent festival allowance increase had not been implemented. If demands remain unmet, the groups plan to seek a meeting with the prime minister, hold divisional rallies and form a broader struggle committee.