Cabinet Approves Landmark Pay Raise for Government Employees
The Cabinet of Bangladesh has approved a new pay scale for all government officials and employees. This major decision was made during a meeting on Monday at the Secretariat. Millions of public sector workers are expected to see significant salary increases.
A secretary who attended the meeting confirmed the approval to Prothom Alo news after the session. The Cabinet Division will hold a press conference soon. They will provide full details about the new pay scale and its implementation.
This approval follows recommendations from the Ninth National Pay Commission. Bangladesh’s interim government formed this 23-member commission on July 27, 2025. Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan led the commission.
The commission submitted its report in January. It recommended keeping the current 20 grades for employees. Salaries and allowances were proposed to increase by 100 to 140 percent. Under the recommendations, the minimum basic salary would rise from Tk8,250 to Tk20,000. The maximum basic salary would increase from Tk78,000 to Tk160,000.
Earlier, a 10-member committee was formed on April 21. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani headed this committee. Its job was to recommend measures for putting the new pay scale into practice. This committee suggested raising basic salaries by up to 100 percent for grades 1 to 20.
The committee also proposed implementing the salary increases in two steps. Under this plan, the revised basic salaries would take effect in the first year. House rent and other allowances would then be adjusted in the second year.
The Prime Minister’s Office had previously highlighted plans for a new pay scale. This was mentioned in an e-book titled ‘180 Days of the People’s Government’. The e-book discussed various initiatives from the government’s first 180 days in office. It included a section named ‘Ninth Pay Scale: Big News for Government Employees’.
