More than 2,500 arrested after massive student protests in Bangladesh

Why are students protesting?

The government’s decision to reinstate old quotas for government jobs was the cause of the protests.

Until 2018, certain quotas for government jobs were in place in Bangladesh. According to these quotas, more than half of the jobs were reserved exclusively for certain population groups. For example, priority was given to children of parents who fought for independence in 1971, but priority was also given to women, people from deprived neighbourhoods, and people with disabilities.

The government scrapped these job quotas in 2018 after massive student protests. However, the system was reintroduced last month.

This has again led to widespread protests among university students. They fear that the quotas will make it difficult for them to find good jobs. According to official figures, about 18 million young Bangladeshis are currently unemployed.

Under pressure from the protests, the reintroduction of job quotas was (partially) cancelled last Sunday. From now on, 93% of government positions will be open to all candidates. Quotas will continue to apply to 7% of jobs: 5% for children of veterans of the War of Independence and 2% for other categories.