Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) dismissed eight building inspectors on July 6, five months after they joined in February, declaring them ineligible. The 18 recruits had passed written and oral examinations held in January and were assigned to departments after joining at grade 16. The dispute centres on the eligibility terms in CDA’s recruitment notice and whether the authority’s 1990 service rules had been updated.

The affected workers say they held four-year diplomas in engineering, surveying technology, which they contend are equivalent to higher secondary education. They say their certificates were reviewed several times before appointment, and some had left jobs at the city corporation, WASA and elsewhere to join CDA. Nine recruits had also faced delayed salaries, while one worker from Kurigram left after not receiving pay.

Bangladesh Survey Institute principal Mobarak Hossain told CDA that institutions have not issued a “Survey Final” degree since 2004, instead awarding four-year diplomas in engineering. CDA Chairman Engineer Belayet Hossain said the dismissals followed ministry instructions and that the eight appointments were illegal because the candidates lacked required qualifications. He said an investigation committee has been formed to identify those involved and take action.