Dhaka: The Cabinet on Monday approved the draft of ‘the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University Bill, 2018’ to establish a higher educational institution for promotion and upgradation of the aeronautical and aerospace studies in the country.

The approval was given at the 35^th Cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, reports the UNB.

Bangladesh Air Force will construct the university in the capital, said Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam while briefing reporters at the Secretariat after the meeting.

As per the proposed law, Bangladesh Air Force Academy, Flying Instructor School, Flight Safety Institute, Command and Staff Training Institute, Aeronautical Institute and Officers Training Institute will be affiliated with the university, the Cabinet Secretary said.

The Cabinet also cleared the draft of Bangladesh Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Labour Bill-2018, Insurance Corporation Bill-2018, International Mother Language Institute (Amendment) Bill-2018 and Chattogram Hill Tracts (Land Acquisition, Amendment) Regulation-1958.

Meanwhile, a five-member Cabinet committee was formed at the meeting to finalise the Ninth Wage Board award for journalists.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor will head the committed while Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu are its members.

Following the recommendations of the cabinet committee, gazette notification will be published on January 28 in this regard, the Cabinet secretary said.

Replying to a query, he said the wage board constituted by the government earlier recommended an 80 percent hike in basic wages of journalists under the top three grades while 85 percent for those under the bottom three grades.

Besides, it suggested 20 percent Baishakhi allowance for the journalists, he said, adding that separate laws were also recommended for electronic, online and radio media.

About the EPZ Labour Bill, the Cabinet secretary said it was made friendlier to workers as per the observations of the International Labour Organization (ILO), European Union, Canada and the United States.

The bill recommended formation of Workers’ Welfare Federation and Workers’ Welfare Association Federation.

After retirement, EPZ workers who had worked for at least 25 years will get salary of 45 days every year as compensation until death.