However, high-level sources say that this recommendation is more likely to be final.
Generally, the age limit for entering government service is 30 years, and for children of freedom fighters and their grandchildren, it is 32 years. The committee's proposal does not say anything separately for children or grandchildren of freedom fighters.
Why is the age of girls two years older? In response to the question, sources said that girls often have to enroll again after dropping out of school. There is a break in their studies due to marriage in the middle of their studies. In case of marriage, after having children, they often cannot take the job exam. Considering these considerations, the committee found it logical to keep the age of girls two years older.
When asked for comment on this issue, Ali Imam Majumder, an advisor attached to the office of the chief advisor, said, "I don't know what the committee has recommended for the age of entry into service. However, the report in this regard has been submitted to the chief advisor. I hope a final decision will be made after reviewing it soon."
Those concerned believe that if the government ultimately upholds the recommendations of this committee, the retirement age for government jobs will also have to be increased.
A top official of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association told The Daily Star, "To be eligible for pension in government jobs, you normally have to have at least 25 years of service. So if the government increases the entry age to 35, then naturally the retirement age will have to be increased."
A secretary, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Daily Star, "The committee formed in the wake of the students' movement has been asked to review only the age of entry into service. That is, it is not within their remit to recommend increasing the retirement age. However, we are optimistic that the government may announce both at the same time."
The report does not specifically state whether the age limit for entry into employment is temporary or permanent.
Sources said that such decisions have to be evaluated from time to time. Therefore, no time has been mentioned for now. On the other hand, no proposal regarding increasing the age limit for entry into employment has been mentioned in the report.
Rationale for recommendation:
1. Government job recruitment was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although the previous government announced age relaxation to compensate for this loss, there was little momentum in the recruitment that was stalled. On the other hand, new recruitment initiatives were also low.
2. During the Russia-Ukraine war, the previous government was struggling with the country's economy. As a result, job opportunities in both the public and private sectors were limited.
3. Due to the lawsuits and attacks of the previous government, thousands of talented students from many student organizations were unable to complete their education in a regular manner. As a result, they were unable to participate in job exams.
These issues have been given the utmost importance by the committee.
Another member of the committee, who asked not to be named, said, "Even though the previous government talked about relaxing the age due to Corona, it did not issue a new recruitment notification. This was also a trick of the previous government. Therefore, we recommended a higher age than the students wanted."
Sources said that the head of the committee, Muyid Chowdhury, has made a big contribution in increasing the age of employment. Under his leadership, the committee reviewed the issues related to government jobs in important countries around the world. They found that there is no age limit in America, 45 years in Nepal, and 36 years in some provinces of India. Apart from this, the age limit is higher in different countries. Therefore, the committee saw the increase in the age as positive in Bangladesh as well.
Cabinet Division sources said that if the Chief Advisor is satisfied with the report, he will direct the Ministry of Public Administration to raise the committee's proposal to the Advisory Council. Such a policy decision must be raised in the Advisory Council meeting before being finalized.
Sources in the Ministry of Public Administration said that if the employment age is increased, many laws and regulations will have to be amended. Therefore, a meeting will have to be held with the Ministry of Law to get a clear idea about the legal aspects. Therefore, many more initiatives may have to be taken to finalize the legal aspects before raising the issue in the Advisory Council meeting.
Incidentally, in the wake of the student movement, the government had formed a five-member committee led by former caretaker government advisor Abdul Muyid Chowdhury on September 30. The committee submitted its recommendations last week. The committee had Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Dr. Mokhles Ur Rahman as its member secretary. The members included former Joint Secretary Kawsar Zahura, former Additional Secretary Mohammad Iqbal and Additional Secretary of the Finance Department Saiful Islam.
