Teachers and other employees of non-government educational institutions shout slogans in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Thursday, during their agitation programmes demanding job nationalisation. — New Age photo

Teachers and employees of non-government educational institutions enlisted for monthly pay order benefits continued with their indefinite sit-in programme in front of the National Press Club for the second day on Thursday demanding nationalisation of their jobs.
They also rejected the government decision to increase their housing allowance from Tk 100 to Tk 500 and medical allowance from Tk 150 to Tk 300 a month with effect from January 1 as too meagre to accept.
Hundreds of teachers and employees under the banner of Bangladesh Shikkhak-Karmachari Oikya Jote had held the sit-in from the morning causing traffic congestion on Topkhana Road and in the adjacent areas for hours.
The Oikya Jote, however, suspended the demonstration at 2:00pm as a human chain of the Awami League-led ruling alliance was scheduled to run through the venue in the afternoon.
Oikya Jote chairman Selim Bhuiyan said as members of an association of professionals they vacated the place early so that the AL-led alliance could hold its scheduled programme.
Selim dismissed education minister Nurul Islam Nahid’s statement that the Oikya Jote was politically motivated saying none of the Jote leaders and members was involved in politics.
Oikya Jote general secretary Zakir Hossin said around five lakh teachers and employees of more than 26,328 MPO-enlisted non-government educationbal institutions were taking part in the movement.
All the institutions were closed at the moment, with the teachers stopping to take classes since January 10 to press home the demand, he added.
The Oikya Jote will continue to sit-in at the same venue for the third consequent day today.