Bangladesh’s highest court has limited government job quotas, reshaping employment policies. Find out what this means for job seekers.
After nationwide unrest resulted from a controversial quota system for government jobs, Bangladesh’s top court reduced it on Sunday.
The violence reportedly resulted in the death of no less than 100 individuals as a communications blackout was enforced by the government and protesters engaged with security forces.
The Supreme Court’s ruling mandated that 93 percent of government jobs be assigned based on merit.
The remaining 7 percent is allocated to other categories, including relatives of veterans who participated in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971.
Previously, 30% of these job positions were allocated for the family members of war veterans by the system.
Following several weeks of largely student-led protests, which turned violent on Tuesday as demonstrators clashed with police, Sunday’s verdict was reached.
Students contended that the quota system was discriminatory, citing frustration over the scarcity of job opportunities post-graduation.
Soldiers were patrolling cities across the South Asian country in anticipation of the court’s hearing and a nationwide curfew, along with an internet blackout, persisted.
People will be allowed to run necessary errands during the relaxed curfew hours of 15h to 17h on Sunday, as stated by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.
The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced public holidays for Sunday and Monday, while only emergency services are permitted to function during this time.
Since winning her fourth term in office through January elections, which were boycotted by the main opposition groups, the chaos has become the prime minister’s most significant challenge.
The protestors are contending that the quotas provide an advantage to advocates of Hasina, whose Awami League party spearheaded the quest for independence.
Regardless of their political affiliation, Hasina upholds the quota system and believes that veterans should be given utmost respect for their contributions in the war against Pakistan.
