Students demand lowering job application fees
Students of seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University also took part in the procession which paraded through different roads of the university
Around 100 students on Wednesday staged protest on the Dhaka University campus demanding reduction in the application fees of government jobs.
They gathered in front of Raju Memorial Sculpture on the campus and held a rally under the banner of Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad in the morning.
Students of seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University also took part in the procession which paraded through different roads of the university.
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After completing graduation, students have to apply for at least ten jobs per month, for which they have to pay up to Tk1,000 in application fees, according to the protesting students.
"We do not know why the government offices and even the Bangladesh Civil Service Commission compel the students to pay such a large amount of money in application fees. This is illogical and a burden on fresh graduates," Rashed Khan, joint convener of the Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad, told The Business Standard.
"Most of the students cannot apply for jobs due to the shortage of money required for submitting applications. The government should take necessary steps to reduce the fees. Otherwise, we will launch a tougher movement," he added.
The students urged the government to set job application fees at Tk200 for ninth-grade jobs, Tk150 for 10th-grade jobs, Tk100 for 11-14th-grade jobs, and Tk50 for 15-20th-grade jobs.
They also demanded arranging the job tests in each district and division to mitigate the hassle of the applicants.
Md Akbar Hossain who came from Dhaka College, said, "My father is a poor farmer. My father is funding my studies and I also earn some money by working as a private tutor. I completed my master's studies this year. But it will be very difficult for me to bear the cost of job application fees."
"This is nothing for the government but we will be hugely benefited. I believe the government will definitely consider our demands," he said.
Meanwhile, Dhaka University Central Students' Union Vice-President Nurul Haque Nur and General Secretary Gulam Rabbani supported the protesting students.
Nurul told The Business Standard he supports the protesters as their demand is logical.
"The students protesting on the Dhaka University campus are representing all students across the country," he said.
"I urge the government to meet the students' demands without delay," he said.
