Protesters advocating for a higher age limit to apply for government jobs have announced a hunger strike as part of their ongoing sit-in at Shahbagh. They declared that they would remain at the site until an official notification is issued.
On Monday afternoon, after conducting a sit-in for six hours, the protesters made their hunger strike announcement. The demonstration began at noon in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, with over 200 students from various regions of the country participating.
The students emphasized their commitment to the cause, stating, "We have been carrying out our program since noon and will not leave until our demands are met." They expressed frustration over the lack of response to their repeated appeals over the past 12 years, highlighting their unemployment and financial struggles. "We have traveled from different parts of the country to fight for our rights. We do not wish to protest endlessly; we will only return home once the notification regarding the 35 is issued," they affirmed.
The protesters pointed out that the age limit for job applications in all sectors was raised from 27 to 30 years in 1991 when the average life expectancy in Bangladesh was 57 years. Now that the average life expectancy has increased to 73 years, they argue that it is reasonable to raise the job application age limit as well.
They noted that the retirement age was raised from 57 to 59 years in 2011 due to increased life expectancy, yet the entry age for jobs remains capped at 30 years. This discrepancy has contributed to a growing number of highly educated individuals facing unemployment in the country.
