Journalist Masood Kamal criticises pre-election pay scale for public servants

The Jamaat-controlled interim government under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is drawing sharp criticism for its hasty endorsement of a massive salary increase for government employees, a move senior journalist Masood Kamal has lambasted as a cynical ploy to burden the incoming elected administration and secure loyalty from bureaucrats ahead of the February 12 election.

In a scathing commentary, Kamal on Thursday highlighted the proposal’s disregard for fiscal realities and the plight of private sector workers, arguing it exemplifies the regime’s lack of accountability.

The Ninth National Pay Commission, which submitted its report on January 22, proposes hikes ranging from 105% to over 147%, pushing the lowest basic salary from Tk8,250 to Tk20,000 and the highest from Tk78,000 to Tk160,000. Yunus praised the report as “an extraordinary good job,” but critics, including Kamal, see it as a transparent attempt to manipulate the electoral landscape under the guise of addressing inflation.

“Salaries are increasing only for government employees,” Kamal stated in his address. “Those who work in private jobs, their salaries are not increasing.” He questioned the logic behind selective relief amid widespread price surges, asking, “Is there a separate market for private employees and a separate market for government officials? No, that’s not the case.” Kamal emphasised that inflation affects everyone equally, yet the regime’s focus remains narrowly on public servants, ignoring the broader economic distress where private firms are closing and jobs are vanishing.

The financial implications are staggering, with an estimated additional Tk106,000 crore needed annually—funds the cash-strapped government lacks. “Where will the government bring this money from?” Kamal demanded. He outlined the regime’s precarious finances: “The government’s revenue income—70%—goes to various salaries and allowances. And 25% goes to…the interest on those [loans].”

With only 5% left for development, the extra burden will inevitably fall on taxpayers through higher direct and indirect levies. “More taxes will be taken,” Kamal warned, adding that ordinary citizens—private employees, business owners, and consumers—will foot the bill for bureaucrats’ windfall.

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Kamal painted a vivid picture of the disparity, noting that even the lowest government roles, like peons or cleaners, could see total pay (including allowances) rise to around Tk42,000 monthly. In contrast, he cited private sector realities: “I can show at least 10 such establishments in Bangladesh…where a person passed a master’s degree, but the salary is Tk15,000 to 18,000.”

He extended this to media workers, where entry-level salaries for journalism graduates hover at Tk12,000–15,000, less than what government cleaners earn—and without pensions. “If it’s everyone’s government, then why only their—these government employees’—salary increase? Why so much headache about them? Others have to run households; others have to go to the same market.”

The journalist accused the Yunus regime of weaponising the proposal to entrench its influence. “This government, at its last stage, wants to keep the government officials and employees in hand—wants to show that we did a lot for you—you help us the remaining time,” he said. Furthermore, it imposes “a burden on them [the new government]” post-election, forcing the victors into a dilemma: implement the hikes and strain budgets, or reject them and risk unpopularity and bureaucratic sabotage. “If not done, then what will happen? The new government will become unpopular—they will say the [previous] government was good—or they will not cooperate with the new government,” Kamal predicted.

Compounding the critique, Kamal highlighted rampant corruption and inefficiency in public service, questioning whether higher pay would improve accountability. “When you go to a government office for service… do you get service or harassment? Or if you give a bribe, the work happens faster,” he asked, estimating that 90% of citizens face “suffering,” bribes, or delays. Recalling past hikes under the Awami League, he noted, “Salary just doubled… and then it was said you don’t eat bribes—we increased your salary… In the past, bribery continued—then the bribe rate also increased.”

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To resolve this, Kamal advocated shrinking the bureaucracy: “Government has to make government’s size small—has to reduce the number of government employees—we don’t need so many employees.” He warned that such reforms would make leaders “unpopular” but are essential to curb harassment and graft.

The Yunus administration, often labelled unconstitutional and influenced by a Jamaat alliance, has defended the move as overdue relief for inflation-hit public servants. However, as Kamal concluded, it reflects “one accountability not having government character,” leaving the regime’s motives under scrutiny as elections loom. “Our misfortune—such a government is sitting on us—they are doing this work so that future government falls into trouble—such a knot tying giving—this knot opening big hard work will be for future government.”