C T Online Desk: Job seekers gathered in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh on Monday, demanding that the age limit for entry into government jobs be raised to 35, in line with international standards, and the government release a notification within the next week.
The demonstrators, who began arriving at Shahbagh at 9:30am, took a stand at the location around 11am.
“If the notification isn’t issued within a week, we will be forced to take stricter action,” said one protester, Afia Sultana. “We fought against discrimination to build a new Bangladesh, yet discrimination in job entry persists. The age limit for all jobs should be raised to 35, with conditions if necessary. We demand this notification without delay.”
Mukul Hasan, another protester, echoed her sentiment: “We have been patient, but enough is enough. If we do not receive a notification within a week, we will be compelled to intensify our protests. We are currently peaceful, but don’t push us to take tougher measures.”
Tariqul Islam added: “There is no place for discrimination in Bangladesh in 2024. We will not leave the streets until our demand is met. We helped bring this government to power, and if needed, we will fight again for our rights. The age limit of 35 is our right.”
Meanwhile, Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, head of the Public Administration Reform Commission, on Monday said the body had recommended raising the age limit to 35 for men and 37 for women.
He told reporters at the Secretariat the final decision would be taken by the advisory council.
Muyeed added that the committee had made the recommendation considering socio-economic aspects. “We have not found anything new. It exists in many countries of the world. It was taken into consideration that girls get priority in all aspects.”
He also mentioned that the committee had not made any recommendations regarding retirement age.
Amid calls for raising the age limit, the interim government formed the five-member committee on September 30 under the leadership of former caretaker government adviser Abdul Mueed Chowdhury.
