150 Recruited at Dhaka WASA Without Exams: Recommendations from Anti-Discrimination Student Leaders and Coordinators

Staff Reporter

Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has reportedly recruited 150 individuals without job advertisements or examinations, relying solely on references from influential figures, including leaders of various organizations.

Sources reveal that these appointments were made overnight across different zones under strong recommendations. Notable among the referees are PS and APS Mozammel, alongside coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement . Six individuals were recruited on the recommendation of Coordinator Touhid, with Nusrat Tabassum and Nazmul also listed as referees.

When journalists attempted to enter Zone-6 of WASA to speak with the newly hired employees, security personnel barred their entry. A few journalists were eventually allowed in, but access to the recruits was denied. Attempts to contact the recruits by phone were largely unsuccessful, as most hung up when referees’ names were mentioned.

WASA Secretary Moshiur Rahman stated that the entire process was managed by the WASA MD, and he merely signed off on the appointments. However, he became agitated when pressed for further details. The WASA MD declined to comment on the matter.

In 2018, the Ministry of Finance directed organizations not to hire employees on a temporary or master-roll basis. Despite this, WASA and other entities continue to make such appointments.