The government has taken a decision to disburse a 5 percent yearly special incentive to public employees and pensioners on their gross salaries and allowances. The incentive will also be provided to employees of civil, self-governed and state-owned organisations; banks, insurance and financial institutions; the Border Guard Bangladesh and the police force under the National Pay Scales, in accordance with Section-15 of the Public Service Act 2018, as per a Finance Ministry notification issued today. According to the notification, the special allocation came into effect on 1 July. The beneficiaries will receive the incentive, no less than Taka 1,000 for government employees and a minimum of Taka 500 for pensioners, every year on the first day of July. Government employees will get special pay at the rate of 5 percent on basic salary payable – minimum of Taka 1,000 – while pensioners, including the reinstated ones, will enjoy the same rate on net payable pension. Besides, government employees on post-retirement leave (PRL) are entitled to special benefits at a similar rate based on their basic pay last drawn prior to the ongoing PRL. As per the notification, the finance ministry notification further said suspended employees will be entitled to the special benefit at a rate of 5 percent on 50 percent of their basic pay immediately preceding the date of suspension. Employees will not get the benefit while on leave without pay. Moreover, the benefit will not be applicable to retired employees who have withdrawn 100 percent of their gross pension. In case of contractual appointment under the national pay scale, the incentive will be given based on their basic pay. Provided, if such contractual employee is a pensioner, he/she shall be entitled to this benefit in either case – on the basis of net pension or basic pay of the contractual employee. Apart from the organisations managed by funds from the government’s revenue budget, other organisations will have to bear the necessary expenses for providing the special benefits from their respective funds.