New Delhi [India], July 22: Following deadly clashes between demonstrators and the government over a civil service quota system, Bangladesh's top court on Sunday largely reversed a decision to reintroduce the plan, BBC Bangla reported.
Under the Supreme Court of Bangladesh's ruling, 93 percent of all appointments are to be based on merit with immediate effect, with 5 percent going to descendants of soldiers who fought for Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971 and 2 percent to people from ethnic minorities or with disabilities.
The original quota system reserved more than half of public sector jobs for such special groups. It was seen as favouring supporters of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League.
The higher quotas were scrapped in 2018, but reinstated by a lower court last month, the broadcaster said.
Unemployment and inflation are high in the country of more than 170 million inhabitants. Bangladeshi students are especially angered by the lack of good jobs. According to Al Jazeera, student leaders have said they welcome the verdict but will not stop protests until all opposition leaders and students arrested are freed and government officials they hold responsible for the crackdown on protesters resign.
Source: Qatar Tribune