Staff Reporter :
Sarjis Alam, coordinator of the central committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, voiced his opposition to the proposed changes in the age limits for government employment.
In a statement posted on his verified Facebook account on Thursday, September 19, he argued that in Bangladesh’s socio-economic context, neither 35 nor 65 is appropriate for entry and retirement ages. Instead, he suggested 32 and 60 as more reasonable limits.
For years, a portion of job seekers has been protesting to raise the entry age for government jobs to 35. Although the previous Awami League government gave assurances, no changes were made. With the arrival of the interim government, discussions on the issue have reignited, leading to renewed protests and road blockades by the agitators demanding their rights.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association, a body representing administrative cadre officers, has submitted a letter to the Cabinet Department requesting that the age limit for entering government service be raised to 35 and the retirement age to 65. This move has raised hopes among the protestors, who are also seeking support from the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
However, Sarjis Alam, one of the key figures in the movement, has expressed his disagreement with the demands for increasing both the entry and retirement ages. He believes that setting the entry age at 35 and the retirement age at 65 is not suitable for the country’s circumstances.
On September 5, Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association, submitted a formal request to the Cabinet Department to increase the entry age for government service to 35 and the retirement age to 65. On Wednesday, September 18, the Cabinet Department forwarded the letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, ordering further action.
The letter argues that these changes are necessary to create a reform-oriented, merit-based new generation of government employees.