According to sources concerned, the government is considering several factors in finalising the new salary structure, including the proposed rate of salary increases, allowances and other benefits, alignment with the Judicial Service pay structure, and the government’s financial capacity.
If the Cabinet approves the proposal, it will be sent to the Ministry of Law for vetting. The gazette will be issued after completion of the necessary procedures.
Under the government’s plan, government employees may begin receiving salaries under the new structure from October. However, if the pay scale is made effective retrospectively from July 1 this year, salaries for July through September may be recalculated according to the new structure, with the arrears adjusted subsequently.
The government had initially targeted publishing the gazette by August, but the timeline was pushed back due to reviews concerning the salary increase rate, allowances and the government’s financial capacity.
The work of the high-level secretary committee formed to review the recommendations of the Ninth National Pay Commission is also nearing completion. The final proposal is expected to be sent to the Cabinet after another meeting chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said the proposal will be placed before the Cabinet once the committee completes its work and that the new salary structure will be implemented within this year.
However, considering the government’s financial capacity, the new pay scale may be implemented in two phases. The first phase could cover basic salaries, while allowances and other benefits may be introduced in the subsequent phase.
Meanwhile, the secretary committee has recommended a somewhat lower rate of salary increases than that proposed by the Pay Commission. Coordination with the pay structures of the Judicial Service and Armed Forces is also receiving priority in the finalisation process.