EFF statement on the resignation of Bangladesh Prime Minister amid youth protests
6 August 2024
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes the resignation of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following weeks of intense youth-led protests. These demonstrations, initially sparked by grievances over an unfair quota system for government jobs, escalated into a broader call for accountability and Hasina's removal.
The protests, driven by the 'Students Against Discrimination' group, emerged from a deep-seated frustration with high youth unemployment and systemic inequalities.
Bangladesh faces a critical challenge, with nearly 32 million young people out of work or education in a population of 170 million.
The contentious quota system reserved a significant portion of govemment jobs for specific groups, including 10% for women, 10% for people from disadvantaged districts, and 5% for ethnic minorities, which was understandable. However, an entire one-third of the jobs were unjustly allocated to the descendants of freedom fighters, perpetuating a system of nepotism and inequality.