Interim Government Plans Tk10,000 Monthly Allowance for Elderly Journalists
The interim government of Bangladesh is moving forward with a plan to provide a monthly allowance of Tk10,000 to financially struggling journalists aged over 65, in a bid to support those with limited income and long-standing contributions to the profession.
Speaking to The Business Standard on 7 October, Muhammad Abdullah, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust (BJWT), confirmed that a draft policy has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for approval.
"The draft policy has been sent to the ministry, and an inter-ministerial meeting is scheduled for 9 October to finalise the proposal," Abdullah said.
Initially, the draft had suggested a monthly stipend of Tk15,000, but the ministry has recommended fixing the allowance at Tk10,000 for the time being, he added.
Abdullah noted that in the first phase, the benefit will be extended to elderly journalists in divisional and district headquarters. Over time, both the coverage and the amount of the allowance may be expanded based on need and available resources.
According to officials at the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust, applicants must submit a prescribed form and provide documented proof of at least 25 years of experience in journalism to qualify for the allowance.
In the event of a recipient's death, a one-time payment equal to four months’ allowance will be provided to the nominee, after which the benefit will cease.
The initiative is seen as a step toward recognising the lifelong service of senior journalists who often face financial hardship in retirement due to a lack of pension or social security.
