National Pay Commission chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan has announced that the new salary structure for government employees is expected to be finalized well before the planned six-month timeframe.

During a meeting between the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and a delegation from the National Pay Commission at the State Guest House in Jamuna on Sunday, also former Finance Secretary and Chairman of the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, Zakir Ahmed Khan highlighted that despite rising inflation and GDP growth over the past decade, salaries had not increased proportionally.

He said the commission is working on establishing a modernized salary structure, including separate pay scales for specialized positions, tax-adjusted salaries, allowances for housing, medical care, and transport, and mechanisms to align pay with inflation. The commission is also evaluating pensions, retirement benefits, and performance-based salary adjustments for officers and staff.

He added that the commission will make recommendations for a fair pay framework, rationalization of cash and in-kind benefits for phones, vehicles, and other allowances, and correction of inconsistencies in salary grades and increments. “Although six months were initially allocated for determining the new salary structure, we hope to submit the final report well ahead of schedule,” he said.

During the meeting, Chief Adviser Yunus directed the commission to establish a rational salary framework that reflects current realities. He also emphasized the importance of providing health insurance for government officials, noting that salary increases alone may not protect families from financial hardship caused by illness. “Insurance ensures family security, and similar models exist in neighboring countries,” he said.

The National Pay Commission has been formed after a decade to review and recommend salaries, allowances, and other benefits for employees of government, semi-government, autonomous organizations, state-owned banks, financial institutions, recognized universities, and state-owned industries under the national pay scale.

Other officials present at the meeting included Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser’s Principal Secretary Siraj Uddin Mia, and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Mokhlesur Rahman.