Recruitment of One Lakh Temporary Govt Staff Stalled Over Policy Changes

Recruitment for approximately one lakh temporary positions in grades 16 to 20 across various government offices has come to a sudden halt. The deadlock stems from recent revisions to the public outsourcing policy. Despite severe staff shortages in multiple departments, ministries are unable to hire, which is increasingly affecting routine public services.

Traditionally, third and fourth-class support staff were recruited through private third-party outsourcing agencies. However, on September 21, the Ministry of Finance amended the Outsourcing Service Procurement Policy 2025. The revised guidelines barred private contractors, stipulating instead that departments must hire individuals directly or through the state-approved Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC).

Although the new policy was enacted, it quickly ran into legal roadblocks because the Public Procurement Rules (PPR) do not have explicit provisions for directly procuring individual contractual services. Furthermore, the guidelines left the fate of ongoing tenders unclear, prompting several ministries—including the Health Education and Family Welfare Division—to seek urgent clarification from the Finance Division.

To resolve the impasse, the Finance Division has formally written to the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) requesting necessary amendments to the procurement law and rules. Officials indicate that until the procurement framework is aligned with the new policy, the massive recruitment drive across government offices will remain on hold.