MPO-listed teachers and staff have announced a fresh protest programme, calling for a 20 percent house rent allowance increase and other benefits, as part of their ongoing demonstration in Dhaka. Under the new plan, they will hold a "flag procession" from the Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday, followed by a March to the chief advisor's residence State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday if their demands are not met by noon. Earlier on Friday afternoon, the protesters, who have been demonstrating at the Shaheed Minar for six days, began a hunger strike to press for their demands. Initially, their demands included raising the house rent allowance by 20 percent, increasing medical allowance from Tk 500 to Tk 1,500, and raising festival bonuses from 50 percent to 75 percent of the basic salary. Azizi said their sit-in and the fast-unto- death at the Shaheed Minar will continue until the government issues a notification fulfilling their demands.
