Ensure 5pc quota for the physically challenged

Speakers yesterday demanded five percent quota for physically challenged people in all government jobs, including class-I and class-II.

They also called upon the government to take initiatives to ensure five percent quota in private jobs for physically challenged people.

They made the remarks at a press conference titled “Call to Restore Quota for Physically Challenged People”, held by 13 non-government organisations (NGOs) at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.

On October 4, the government issued a circular abolishing all quotas for class-I and class-II jobs in civil service.

The move came in the wake of months-long quota reform demonstrations that saw arrests of leaders of the movement and attacks on students.

Addressing the press conference, Executive Director of Women with Disabilities Development Foundation (WDDF) Ashrafun Nahar Misti said, “We're frustrated over the gazette, as the quota for physically challenged people has also been abolished.”

“The government has ignored the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act-2013 while doing so,” she said.

Ashrafun said a physically challenged person completes graduation overcoming numerous hurdles, but then they are not given any jobs because of their disabilities. She called for ensuring gender equality in the quota system as well. Ashrafun urged the government to formulate a specific policy for the recruitment of physically challenged people.

Representatives of 13 organisations, including Access Bangladesh Foundation, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Service Trust and Manusher Jonno Foundation, were present at the event.