Aug 13 (V7N) — Adviser to the Prime Minister on the ministries of Finance and Planning Prof Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has called upon local and international NGOs to bring their eligible employees under the Universal Pension Scheme, particularly the 'Progoti' scheme, to ensure their long-term financial security.
He made the call while joining a discussion on the Universal Pension Scheme organised by the NGO Affairs Bureau in the capital today through Zoom platform as the chief guest.
Representatives of around 250 local and international NGOs registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau attended the discussion.
Officials from the National Pension Authority, Finance Division and local and international NGOs also participated.
Executive Chairman of the National Pension Authority Dr Md Suratuzzaman made a detailed presentation on the structure, objectives and benefits of the Universal Pension Scheme, highlighting the importance of the 'Progoti' scheme for people working in the NGO sector.
The Universal Pension Scheme is a state-guaranteed social protection programme aimed at ensuring financial security for citizens in their old age. The 'Progoti' scheme has been introduced for people working in the private sector, including private organisations, banks, financial institutions, multinational companies and local and international NGOs.
Under the scheme, subscribers can make regular contributions during their working lives and receive a lifelong monthly pension after retirement.
Speaking as the chief guest, Titumir said wider participation in the Universal Pension Scheme was necessary to ensure the future financial security of people working in the private and NGO sectors.
He urged NGO management authorities to inform their eligible employees about the 'Progoti' scheme and take necessary initiatives to bring them under its coverage.
Titumir said the government's goal was to establish a welfare state where the benefits of development would reach people from all sections and professions of society and no one would be left behind.
Titumir said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had placed special emphasis on mass education programmes to spread education among the common people. Subsequently, under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, special importance was attached to the expansion of women's education and empowerment.
He said active participation of the private and NGO sectors was crucial to implementing the government's commitment, made in the second chapter of its 2026 election manifesto under the section titled "Inclusive Socio-economic Development and Achieving Sustainable State Capacity," to establish pension funds for ensuring financial security in old age for people employed in the private sector.
He expressed hope that local and international NGOs would play an effective role in bringing their employees under the 'Progoti' scheme.
Representatives of different NGOs raised various queries about the Universal Pension Scheme and took part in an open discussion.
In his concluding remarks, NGO Affairs Bureau Director General (Secretary) Dr Mohammad Zakaria urged all concerned to give due importance to the social and financial security of people working in the NGO sector.
National Pension Authority Member (Administration and Finance) Sheikh Kamrul Hasan, NGO Affairs Bureau Director Dr K M Mamun Uzzaman and Barrister Md Khalilur Rahman Khan also spoke at the programme.
The participating NGO representatives said they gained a detailed understanding of the Universal Pension Scheme and expressed positive interest in bringing employees of their respective organisations under the scheme.
END/AJ/RH
