Six-member high-level committee to review government employees' pay structure

The government has formed a six-member high-level committee to review the existing pay structure and various benefits of government employees. A notification in this regard was issued from the Cabinet Division and later published as a government gazette.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has been given responsibility as the head of the committee. He is joined on the committee by five other ministers and state ministers.

The other five members of the committee are Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain (Bokul), and State Minister for Public Administration and Food Md Abdul Bari.

According to the notification, the committee's main task will be to examine in detail the inconsistencies in the current pay scales of government officials and employees and the various complaints raised about them. After completing its review, the committee will submit specific recommendations to the government to resolve these problems.

The committee's scope of review will include not only the existing problems, but also the upgrading and downgrading of pay grades and bringing parity between different grades.

In addition, the committee will consider whether it is possible to introduce a risk allowance or any other new allowance based on the nature of government employees' work. It has also been tasked with examining the need to increase or decrease the amounts of various existing allowances and giving its opinion.

The Finance Division will provide overall official and secretarial support to this high-level committee. The committee has been given the authority to add new members if needed for the convenience of its work.

Besides, for the needs of its work, the Cabinet Secretary, the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary or Secretary, the Public Administration Secretary and the Finance Secretary, along with secretaries of various concerned ministries and divisions, will directly assist the committee.

The notification said committee meetings may be held at any time, considering the situation and need. According to the notification, the government will take its next decision on the basis of the committee's recommendations.