Minimum salary of govt employees Tk20,000, maximum Tk1,60,000

The National Pay Commission has submitted its report on Wednesday, proposing a new salary structure for government employees that roughly double the basic salaries. 

Under the recommendations, the minimum basic salary would rise to Tk20,000, while the maximum basic salary would be set at Tk1,60,000, maintaining 20 salary grades or steps as before.

Existing allowances and facilities, including house rent, medical, and transportation benefits, would continue to apply unchanged. 

For an employee in the lowest grade (20th grade) in Dhaka, the total monthly salary, including these allowances, would amount to around Tk42,000.

The commission is also recommending an increase in the Boishakhi allowance from the current 20 percent to 50 percent of basic salary. 

Additionally, the travel allowance, previously provided only to employees in grades 11 to 20, would now extend to those in grades 10 to 20.

Pensioners would also see significant increases in their pension rates. Those currently receiving less than Tk20,000 per month would get an approximate 100 percent hike, while those with pensions between Tk20,000 and Tk40,000 would receive a 75 percent increase, and those above Tk40,000 would see a 55 percent rise.

Zakir Ahmed Khan, the head of the Pay Commission and a former Finance Secretary, told Daily Samakal that the report would be handed over to the Chief Adviser today, describing the proposals as very positive and well-considered.

The interim government established the Pay Commission on July 24, tasking it with developing a new salary structure and requiring submission within six months, though extensions were granted. 

The commission is now preparing to deliver the report on Wednesday amid some uncertainty about whether the current administration will finalise implementation.

At present, government employees follow the 2015 pay scale with 20 grades, covering about 1.5 million officials and staff nationwide. 

The lowest basic salary (20th grade) stands at Tk8,250 per month, while a grade 9 employee starts at Tk22,000. At the top levels, secretaries receive Tk78,000, senior secretaries Tk82,000, and cabinet or principal secretaries to the prime minister Tk86,000 as basic pay.

In addition to basic salaries, employees receive separate allowances for house rent, medical treatment, transportation, and other benefits, along with two festival bonuses annually and a 20 percent allowance tied to the Bengali New Year.