After a day of road blockades, clashes with police, sound grenades, tear gas, baton charges, arrests, and injuries, MPO-listed teachers have announced a work stoppage starting Monday morning until their demands are met.

The protesting teachers are spending the night at the Central Shaheed Minar.

On Sunday, the teachers began their sit-in in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding a 20 percent house rent allowance calculated based on their basic salary. They said their sit-in and work abstention would continue until the government meets their demand.

According to the announcement, all MPO-listed non-government schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions across the country will observe an indefinite work stoppage from Monday. The agitating teachers said the strike would continue until a clear government decision is made.

The teachers alleged that around 550,000 MPO-listed teachers and employees receive only Tk 1,000 as a monthly house rent allowance. They have long been demanding the allowance be fixed at 20 percent of their basic pay. The Education Ministry had reportedly assured them several times of meeting this demand.

However, on October 5, marking Teachers’ Day, the Finance Ministry issued a notification increasing the allowance by only Tk 500 instead of revising it as a percentage of the basic salary. Angered by this move, the teachers launched their continuous sit-in from Sunday.

Starting at 10 am, the teachers took position in front of the Press Club. Later, some representatives were called by the Finance Ministry and reportedly assured that their demands would be considered. But as no formal announcement followed, the teachers decided to continue their protest.

A group of teachers later moved to the Shaheed Minar area while others remained in front of the Press Club. At one stage, police charged batons, fired tear gas, sound grenades, and used water cannons to disperse the protesters.

Three teachers were injured and six were detained during the clashes. They were later released after giving written undertakings.

Images of the police action against teachers spread on social media, sparking widespread criticism. Many condemned the treatment of the teachers.

Currently, the protesting teachers are staying at the Shaheed Minar. They said they have spread polythene sheets and will spend the night there.