No Final Decision Yet on Including MPO Teachers in Bangladesh’s New Pay Scale

The government has not yet made a final decision on whether nearly five lakh MPO-listed teachers and employees will be included under the National Pay Scale 2026.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani shared the information while responding to journalists after a cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat on Monday, August 31, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

When asked whether MPO-listed teachers and employees would be brought under the new pay scale, the Cabinet Secretary said, “I cannot say that at this moment. A further decision will come when the matter is finalized.”

The cabinet has already approved the National Pay Scale 2026, which is scheduled to be implemented gradually from July 1, 2026.

Basic Salary to Be Implemented in Three Phases

According to the Cabinet Secretary, the revised basic salary structure will be implemented in three phases between July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027.

Other salary allowances and benefits, however, are expected to be introduced together from January 1, 2028.

The government has decided to implement the revised basic pay gradually over the 2026–27 and 2027–28 fiscal years.

Lower-Grade Employees to Receive Higher Salary Increases

Under the new National Pay Scale, employees in the lower grades of the existing 20-grade structure will receive comparatively higher salary increases.

The basic salary for Grade 1 employees has been increased from Tk 78,000 to Tk 156,000.

Meanwhile, employees in Grade 20 will receive the highest percentage increase in basic pay, at 142 percent.

The Cabinet Secretary noted that government employees had not received a new pay scale for the past 12 years, despite the general expectation that salary structures should be reviewed every five years.

He said the long delay in introducing a new pay scale had affected the standard of living of government employees, prompting the government to introduce a revised salary structure.

Around 2.4 Million Employees Expected to Benefit

Once fully implemented, the new pay scale is expected to benefit around 2.4 million military and civilian government employees.

In addition, approximately 925,000 retired employees and other eligible beneficiaries are also expected to receive benefits under the new structure.

According to government estimates, the full implementation of the new pay scale will require an additional annual expenditure of around Tk 105,580 crore.

Decision on Time Scale and Selection Grade Still Awaited

Journalists also asked about the long-standing demands of government employees regarding the restoration of time scales and selection grades.

The Cabinet Secretary said he would not provide detailed information until the relevant SRO or official notification is issued.

As a result, government employees will have to wait for further clarification regarding time scales and selection grades.

Wage Board Issue Expected to Gain Momentum

Responding to questions about the Wage Board for journalists, the Cabinet Secretary said the matter is expected to gain momentum after the implementation of the new pay scale.

He indicated that the issue would no longer remain pending for an extended period.

Pay Scale Notifications May Be Issued This Week

When asked when the official notification for the new pay scale would be issued, the Cabinet Secretary expressed hope that it would happen this week.

“InshaAllah, it will be done this week,” he said, adding that several gazette notifications may be issued rather than just one.

However, the key question of whether MPO-listed teachers and employees will ultimately be included under the National Pay Scale 2026 remains unanswered.

Therefore, nearly five lakh MPO-listed teachers and employees will have to wait for the government's next decision regarding their inclusion in the new salary structure.