The government has finalised the policy framework for implementing Bangladesh’s Ninth National Pay Scale after reviewing recommendations related to public administration, marking a major step toward the first revision of government salaries in more than a decade. 

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Secretaries’ Committee on Wednesday, according to officials present during the meeting.

Sources said recommendations concerning the civil administration were approved in principle, while proposals related to the judiciary and the armed forces remain under review. Officials held extensive discussions on both sectors, and another meeting may be required before those recommendations are finalised.

The government has already announced that implementation of the new pay structure will begin in phases from July 1, the start of the 2026-27 fiscal year. 

However, sources indicated that public employees may have to wait until October before receiving the increased salaries due to administrative and budgetary processes.

Committee members declined to disclose the exact percentage of salary increases or the number of phases in which the pay scale will be implemented.

According to officials, the government is currently considering three implementation options. One proposal would increase basic salaries by 50 percent in the first phase. 

A second option would provide a 40 percent increase for employees in Grades 1-9 and a 60 percent increase for those in Grades 10-20. A third proposal under consideration would double the basic salaries of lower-grade employees.

Officials also indicated that government employees currently on Leave Preparatory to Retirement (LPR) are expected to be brought under the new pay structure.

The Ninth Pay Scale is expected to benefit roughly 1.4 million government employees and about 900,000 pensioners.

Earlier this year, the National Pay Commission recommended retaining the existing 20-grade structure while substantially increasing salary levels. Under the proposal, the minimum basic salary would rise from 8,250 taka to 20,000 taka, while the maximum basic salary would increase from 78,000 taka to 160,000 taka. 

The commission also recommended narrowing the gap between the highest and lowest salary grades.

The government has allocated 44,000 crore taka in the proposed FY2026-27 budget for the partial implementation of the new pay structure, covering salary adjustments for government employees, pensioners, and MPO-listed teachers and staff. 

Finance Ministry officials have said the phased approach reflects fiscal constraints while addressing growing pressure from inflation and rising living costs.

The current pay scale has remained in force for 11 years, making the Ninth National Pay Scale one of the most significant and closely watched reforms for Bangladesh’s public sector workforce in recent years.