Dhaka, Oct. 21 -- The ongoing protest movement by teachers and employees of educational institutions under the government's monthly pay order (MPO) scheme demanding increases in various allowances, including housing rent, has entered its 10th day.

On Tuesday, protesters gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka to press for higher house rent and medical allowances. They also demanded that the festival allowance for MPO-listed employees be increased to 75 percent of their basic salary.

Alongside the sit-in programme, a section of teachers and employees have continued a "hunger strike unto death". Four teachers participating in the hunger strike have fallen ill.

Protest leader Delwar Hossain Azizi said he had also become unwell, suf...