Freedom fighter quota in govt jobs will stay, Hasina says amid protests by jobseekers

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made it clear the freedom fighter quota in government jobs will remain considering the contribution they had made in the creation of Bangladesh.

“Their (freedom fighters) privilege comes first as Bangladesh became independent because of them. Freedom fighters’ children and grandchildren must get the facilities first. That’s why the quota system was introduced,” she has clarified.

Amid a wave of protests in Dhaka and elsewhere by jobseekers demanding reforms to the quota system, the prime minister stance on the issue came at an Awami League rally in Chittagong’s Patiya on Wednesday.

Responding to the protests, she said the government has relaxed the quota system to fill up vacant posts reserved for different quotas from the merit list.

According to the system, 56 percent posts are reserved for different quotas, including 30 percent for children of freedom fighters, 10 percent each for women and particular districts, 5 percent for small ethnic groups, and 1 percent for people with disabilities.

Facing protests by the jobseekers demanding an overhaul of the system, the government announced the decision relaxing it on Mar 6, but the demonstrations continued.

Hasina said, “Today we are getting these jobs, enjoying the independence and development because of the sacrifices (the freedom fighters) made. If the country did not become independent, there would not have any development, jobs. No one would be able to get promoted.”

“We must not forget this. That’s why we are honouring the freedom fighters,” she said. 

The prime minister also said her government did not want any unemployment. “That’s why we are building 100 EPZs across the country,” she said.