At least 50 officers have been appointed on a contractual basis in the six months since the 12th general election, more than double the previous year.
Those considered to be 'trusted' by the government are leading the tally. While contractual recruitment in administration is part of the established process, public administration experts claim that such appointments weaken the administration.
Former bureaucrats and public administration experts assert that the government has been appointing trusted officials on contract as a token of gratitude since returning to power, resulting in a surge in contractual recruitment post-election.
This practice is depriving lower-ranking officers of fair promotion, causing dissatisfaction and frustration among them. Many officials express dissatisfaction over the multiple extensions of some officials' contracts, arguing that it disrupts discipline and hinders promotion.
As contracts are repeatedly extended, the situation worsens, leaving dedicated and hardworking individuals retiring with disappointment.
Experts believe that contractual recruitment should be limited to specialised and technical posts where skilled manpower is scarce. However, they argue that the current 'non-judgmental' contractual recruitment is disrupting the balance of administration and increasing chaos.
More than 50 contractual appointments in 6 months
An analysis of the last six months of public administration contract appointments reveals that over fifty officials have received contract appointments post-election, compared to 20 during the same period the previous year.
The list includes the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Inspector General of Police, Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Department, Secretary of Science and Technology, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of the President's Office, RAJUK Chairman, ambassadors, and other officials at various levels.
The public administration minister has acknowledged that subordinate officers are deprived due to contractual appointments but claimed that such appointments are made in the country's interest.
What the employment law says
Under Section 49 of the 'Government Employment Act, 2018', the Ministry of Public Administration makes contractual appointments. The law allows the President to appoint an employee to public service on a contractual basis after retirement. Currently, government employees can work until the age of 59, with freedom fighters retiring at 60. In 2014, the then Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhit urged the State Minister for Public Administration to formulate a policy for contractual appointments, opposing the ongoing recruitment practice.
Experts' opinion
Former secretary Abu Alam Shahid Khan stated that contract jobs are appeasement jobs, with contract employees often trying to please their superiors rather than following rules. He argued that increasing contract jobs weakens the administration and disappoints promotion aspirants.
Former secretary Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan commented that officials who serve their bosses' purposes secure higher positions and contracts, contributing to the current government's tendency to appoint trusted officials. He highlighted that efficient officers are often left to retire in lower positions, resulting in personal disappointment and national loss.
Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain acknowledged the challenges of contractual appointments but emphasised the necessity of some contracts for the country's welfare. He mentioned that the Prime Minister discourages contractual appointments and that efforts are being made to recruit good people.
Top contractual appointments in past 6 months
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Tofazzal Hossain Mia: Contract extended for another year.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun: Contract extended for another year.
Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Ali Hossain: Contract extended for another year.
Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Department ABM Amin Ullah Noori: Contract extended for another year.
Senior Secretary Planning Department Satyajit Karmakar: Appointed on contract for one year.
Ambassador of Bangladesh in Germany Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan: Contract extended by nine months.
Bangladesh Ambassador in Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed: Contract extended by six months.
Secretary of Agriculture Ministry Wahida Akhter: Appointed on contract for one year.
Secretary of President's Office Wahidul Islam: Contract extended by six months.
Secretary of the Ministry of Railways Humayun Kabir: Appointed on contract for one year.
Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Abu Hena Rahmatul Munim: Contract extended by two years.
Chairman of Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) Major General (Retd.) Siddiqur Rahman Sarkar: Appointed on a two-year contract.
Director General of the National Science and Technology Museum Mohammad Munir Chowdhury: Reappointed.
Chief Consultant of the Executive Committee of the Smart Bangladesh Task Force of the Prime Minister's Office Mostafizur Rahman: Appointed on a two-year contract.
Chairman of the National River Protection Commission Sarwar Mahmood: Appointed.
Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain: Contract expiring on October 13, with potential for another extension.