Entry and retirement age limits may see 2-year boost

The interim government of Bangladesh is reportedly planning to extend both the age limit for entry into civil service and the retirement age by two years. The general age for joining the civil service may be raised from 30 to 32 years, while the retirement age may be extended to 61, according to sources within the Ministry of Public Administration.

A committee reviewing the maximum age limit for entering civil service submitted a report to the government on Thursday, recommending an age limit increase. However, officials have not yet specified the exact increase or the final decision, noting only that an age limit extension is under consideration and that a decision will be made at a higher level of government.

Mohammad Saiful Islam, the newly appointed secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and a member of the review committee, told The Business Post that they have submitted the report but refrained from commenting further, citing a commitment to confidentiality.

Currently, the standard age for entering government jobs is 30 years, though applicants applying under the quota for children of freedom fighters have an extended age limit of 32 years. Similarly, the general retirement age is 59, while it stands at 61 for freedom fighters.

The proposed changes could see these standard age limits rise to 32 and 61 years, respectively.

Govt under pressure

Multiple sources have indicated that the government is facing considerable pressure from current civil servants to extend the retirement age if the entry age is raised. To address both concerns, the interim government is reportedly exploring this dual approach to maintain a balance between job seekers and existing employees.

It is worth noting that job seekers have raised similar demands in the past, but the issue is being discussed anew amid the current political shift. The Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA), representing administrative cadre officials, submitted a request to the Cabinet Division on 5 September to raise the age limit for entry into civil service to 35 years and the retirement age to 65.

Since the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Administration, the Cabinet Division forwarded the proposal to the ministry on 18 September for further consideration.

In this context, a key question arises about whether implementing this new proposal to raise the age limit for government jobs could increase the financial burden on the state, already grappling with rising expenditure.

Additionally, there are ongoing debates about the rationale behind extending the age limit and how justified it truly is. These concerns highlight the need for a careful assessment of the potential impacts on both public finances and the workforce.

Rationale for raising age limit

In certain government jobs, the retirement age is notably higher, which the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association views as discriminatory.

For instance, under the “Public University Teachers (Retirement) (Special Rules) Act, 2012,” the retirement age for public university professors is set at 65. According to Article 96 of the Constitution, the retirement age for Supreme Court justices is set at 67.

The organisation noted in their formal request letter that many individuals appointed on a contract basis in government roles continue working beyond the age of 67. Additionally, data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) 2023 survey shows that the average life expectancy in Bangladesh is 72.3 years, a significant increase compared to two decades ago.

Those advocating for the change argue that the age limits for employment should be adjusted in line with rising life expectancy, ensuring they reflect the realities of contemporary lifespans.

Arguments against raising age limit

Officials from the Ministry of Finance, speaking on condition of anonymity, have expressed concerns that increasing the age limit will inevitably lead to higher government expenditures. Additionally, it may complicate the functioning of the administration.

For those who have struggled for years to secure a government job or whose eligibility is nearing its end, or for those who were denied opportunities due to political reasons, raising the age limit may seem like a new opportunity. However, it could place new entrants preparing for government jobs in an unfair competitive environment.

There are also questions about how those entering the workforce at the later stage of the age limit will adapt to working alongside younger employees. This raises concerns about workplace dynamics and integration.

Economically, the government could face “long-term financial strain,” said Distinguished Fellow and economist Professor Mustafizur Rahman of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

He pointed out that raising the retirement age will have both immediate and medium-to-long-term effects. While delaying retirement may defer pension payments, when those payments are eventually made, the amount will be larger. “This is significant because a considerable portion of Bangladesh’s budget is allocated to civil servant salaries and benefits,” he said.

For the current fiscal year (FY25), Tk 81,580 crore has been allocated for salaries and allowances of government employees. In the previous fiscal year (FY24), the allocation was Tk 77,489 crore.

Unemployment may increase instead

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), there are currently 2.59 million unemployed people in the country. However, economists believe the actual figure is likely much higher.

On the other hand, data from the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) indicates that the unemployment rate in the country stands at 3.6 per cent, with youth unemployment accounting for nearly 80 per cent of that figure.

Experts are concerned that the increasing preference among the youth in Bangladesh for government jobs could be exacerbated if the age limit for entry is extended. Many young people may hold on to the hope that “one day they will get a government job,” leading them to continue preparing for civil service exams over an extended period.

As a result, a large portion of the youth workforce may remain inactive for years, hindering the economy. While not all youth rely solely on government job prospects, many will seek alternative employment if they fail to secure a civil service role after an exam.

According to the Ministry of Public Administration, there are currently 19,00,151 approved positions in government jobs, with 3,70,447 of them vacant.

In this context, approximately 60,000 to 70,000 employees retire from government service each year. However, if the retirement age is increased, these individuals will remain in service longer, delaying opportunities for new entrants.

Age limit raised previously

Previously, the entry age for government jobs in Bangladesh was 27 years, with a retirement age of 57. In 1991, while the retirement age remained unchanged, the entry age was increased to 30. Later, in 2011, the retirement age was raised to 59.

Following this, job seekers launched protests demanding an increase in the entry age, but the government at the time did not respond.

In 2019, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was again questioned about raising the entry age to 35. She warned that doing so would create a “disastrous situation.” Her reasoning was that, by the time candidates completed exams and training after the age of 35, they would be 37 years old, prompting her to ask, “Who will run the government then?”

Md Anwar Ullah, president of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association, noted that while they could request an increase in the age limit from their perspective, it was up to the government to decide.

He suggested the age could be raised to 32 or 33, and the retirement age could be adjusted to 61.

For years, job seekers and students have been advocating for an entry age limit of 35. On 30 September, protesters gathered outside the residence of interim government chief adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, demanding the age increase.

Police used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd, but they continued their protest. The protesters later met with the chief adviser to discuss their demands.

On the same day, the Ministry of Public Administration formed a committee to review and evaluate the demand for raising the age limit and to submit recommendations. The committee was given seven working days to submit its report.