The recruitment test of ‘social workers’ under the Department of Social Services has not been held even after passing five years. As a result, thousands of candidates have become frustrated as most of them are going to cross the government age ceiling. Several ministries time to time postponed recruitment tests at the eleventh hour without showing proper cause though many posts in different ministries have remained vacant.
Every year thousands of graduates enter the formal and informal job market though employment generation at present is facing challenge for the pandemic induced economic sluggishness. Executive positions in the country’s foreign currency earner RMG sector, multinational companies’ local franchise and NGOs are mostly occupied by Indians, Sri Lankans and Filipinos, while graduate unemployment has become high in the decades. The graduates from the country’s public universities and colleges under National University primarily aim to enter the public sector for job security, retirement benefits and social recognition. However, the Public Service Commission and different ministries in many cases put the recruitment system in limbo. There are ample allegations of under table negotiation in both public and private jobs.
Apart from that there are several syndicates — comprising of government officials, law enforcers and test takers – are active to leak questions in exchange for money. Recently, a BUET professor was suspended for his alleged involvement in question leakage. Meanwhile, a high court bench has asked the government to appoint 84 successful BCS candidates in different cadres who have been recommended by the PSC. Furthermore, a section of youth for the last few years have been demanding for extending the entry age ceiling from 30 to 35 to enter government and non-government jobs. We urge the government to ensure a fair selection process in all job recruitment based on merit only.
