The just-approved ninth National Pay Scale settles one argument and opens another. Government employees now have their desired raise to be rolled out in three phases, with the first starting in July 2026.

Justified and equitable are two very different bars to clear and the cabinet’s approval of the ninth pay scale clears only the first.

Minimum basic salary climbs from Tk 130 to Tk 20,000 as maximum reaches Tk 156,000

Says higher salaries without stronger accountability could fuel corruption, inflation and further pressure on low-income earners

We understand that the new government found itself in a precarious position because the new pay scale was effectively committed to by the last administration.