It was not unexpected of the six employees associations and their federating body at the national secretariat to display an animated interest in an awaited pay-raise and the new office timings that actually befell them as a bolt from the blue. But to have caused that flare-up on Monday, as they did, in defiance of the standing rule against processions. rallies and noisy demonstrations at the seat of national government was an overkill one can not savour. It was untenable to the core because nowhere in the constitution of their associations is that unruly and irresponsible behaviour envisaged, or even remotely endorsed.

This is not to give the higher authorities a clean chit either. Insofar as the drastic alteration of the office hours goes, all the employees associations deserved to be consulted before effecting the same. Not merely because they numerically represented by far the largest segment of those in government employ but also because it bore portents to affect their working conditions, self-promotional activities and welfare as a whole.

On the PM's proddings for an early announcement of the Pay Commission report, the concerned official circles have stated that this would be submitted to the government by the next week. The quickening of the process is appreciated although it is advisable that all concerned have their high expectations undergo a reality check here and now in order to avoid any undue frustration at the final outcome. It is understood that the basic minimum monthly salary for a government employees is likely to be Tk. 2000 in the new structure in place of Tk. 900 as of now. But the Sangjukta Karma-chari Parishad, the conglomerate of six employees associations, has put out a threat for tougher action in July if the basic minimum salary is not raised to Tk 3000 by the 1st of that month.

The government's additional requirement of Tk 2000 crore per annum to implement the new pay scales would entail a new mobilisation task in the midst of deflcitfinancing — Tk. 1300 crore through stringent realisation of income tax and VAT and Tk 675 crore annually saved from a three-year freeze on new recruitment. All this is a very tall order.

Since a dialogue has begun between the Establishment Secretary and the service associations we see no point why the agitating secretariat employees should press on with their partial work abstention programme for the coming week.