Atomic scientists slam 8th payscale

Abolition of financial benefits known as "selection grade" and "timescale" in the newly approved eighth payscale would financially deprive the country's scientist community, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Scientists Association said in a press release.

The association, a professional body of over 500 nuclear scientists serving Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, demanded that the government lift the commission's chairman to "super grade-1" and that of members to "super grade-2" in the new pay structure.

The government last month approved the new payscale for its employees with a highest basic pay of Tk 78,000 and a minimum of Tk 8,250 across 20 grades implying a hike ranging from 91 to 101 percent of the current pay.

The new scale also provided for two "super grades" -- the first with Tk 86,000 and the second Tk 82,000 as basic pay, said Dr ASM Saifullah, general secretary of the association.

But abolishing selection grade and timescale benefits would definitely deprive the scientists' community as they serve in a particular position for a long time due to a dearth of higher positions, said the association.

In the previous payscale, an officer serving at a particular position for a certain period of time would automatically be lifted to the immediate higher financial grade, even if he was not promoted to a higher position, said Saifullah.