Government Jobs Age Limit Raised to 35 for Men and 37 for Women in New Proposal
Government Jobs Age Limit Raised Recommendation: 35 for Men, 37 for Women
After years of protests and demands, a new recommendation has emerged regarding the age limit for entry into government jobs in Bangladesh. Abdul Muid Chowdhury, the chairman of the Public Administration Reform Commission, has stated that his committee has proposed raising the maximum age limit for entry into government jobs to 35 years for men and at the same time 37 years for women. However, the committee has not made any recommendations regarding the retirement age. Muid Chowdhury shared this information during a press briefing at the Secretariat following a meeting held on Monday.
Currently, the maximum age for entry into government jobs in Bangladesh is 30 years, with an exception for the children of freedom fighters, where the age limit is 32 years. However, due to various circumstances, a section of job seekers has long been demanding an increase in this age limit. The need for an extension has become more prominent, particularly due to session backlogs in educational institutions and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to these concerns, the government formed a review committee on September 30, with former secretary Abdul Muid Chowdhury appointed as the head.
Special Recommendation for Women
According to the committee’s recommendation, the maximum age for women entering government jobs should be set at 37 years. Muid Chowdhury explained that this specific proposal aims to increase women’s participation in government service. Many women face delays in completing their education due to family responsibilities and other social factors. Offering them an additional two years could help boost female representation in government positions, aligning with the government’s broader agenda for gender equality in employment.
The recommendation aligns with ongoing efforts to encourage more women to enter the workforce. Experts believe that with a slightly extended age limit, women will have greater opportunities to balance their personal and professional aspirations, contributing positively to both the economy and society.
The Background of the Movement
The demand to extend the age limit for government job entry has been growing for several years. A large group of job seekers, particularly university graduates, have been advocating for raising the age limit to 35. Session backlogs at educational institutions, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have made it difficult for many students to complete their degrees and enter the job market before reaching the current age limit of 30. Many of these candidates, despite being qualified, find themselves disqualified from applying due to age constraints.
In response to these challenges, numerous protests and demonstrations have been held in various parts of the country, most notably in Shahbagh, Dhaka. Recently, hundreds of job seekers gathered at Shahbagh, staging peaceful demonstrations and demanding that the government raise the age limit to 35. Some protestors even positioned themselves near the Chief Advisor’s residence, resulting in police intervention. Tear gas shells and sound grenades were used to disperse the crowd, but the demonstrators continued to make their voices heard. It was in the aftermath of this movement that the government announced the formation of the review committee.
Government’s Next Steps
Based on the recommendations of the review committee, it is expected that a final decision on extending the age limit for government job entry will be made soon. Government officials, including the Prime Minister, have been discussing the issue, and there is widespread anticipation that the age limit will indeed be increased. A formal announcement is likely to come from the highest levels of government in the near future.
The proposal has received positive feedback from various sectors of society. Many job seekers and students have welcomed the recommendation, viewing it as a much-needed reform. They argue that the current age limit of 30 puts unnecessary pressure on students, especially given the various challenges they face in completing their education on time. By extending the age limit to 35, students will have more flexibility, reducing the pressure to rush into employment before they are fully prepared.
A Critical Step Forward
The recommendation to raise the age limit for entry into government jobs is seen as a critical step forward for those who have been advocating for reform. It recognizes the realities faced by today’s job seekers, particularly in light of the disruptions caused by the pandemic and other systemic issues within the education sector. Furthermore, the proposal to extend the age limit for women to 37 years is a progressive move, aimed at fostering greater gender equality in public sector employment.
As the government moves closer to a decision, all eyes will be on the final announcement. This could be a game-changer for many job seekers, giving them the chance to apply for roles that were once off-limits because of age restrictions. This change, if implemented, would not only bring relief to thousands of qualified candidates but also align the public service recruitment process with modern-day challenges and needs.
In conclusion, the recommendation to increase the entry age limit to 35 for men and 37 for women in government jobs is a timely and much-needed reform. It addresses the concerns of job seekers who have long been disadvantaged by the current age limit, while also encouraging greater female participation in the workforce. Now, the nation awaits the government’s final decision on this important issue.
