Harijan leaders yesterday asked the government to keep a quota for the community's educated people in public sector jobs and to bring an end to the hardships the community faces regarding their residences.

"A person from our community needs to endure many struggles to get a degree. After that if he fails to get a job, it will surely inflict frustration. Others will not be encouraged to get education," said Nirmal Chandra Das.

The secretary general of Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad was talking to journalists after a reception, "Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad in the Chronicles of Human Rights Movement", organised by the parishad in the capital's Central Public Library celebrating its 17th founding anniversary.

Informing that the community has been working as sweepers and cleaners for generations, Nirmal thanked the government for keeping an 80 percent quota for the community in such jobs.

He, however, claimed that without fulfilling the quota, people outside the community were being provided jobs.

Nirmal said, "Residence is one of our big problems. We are living in dilapidated buildings at different colonies. At any time, a massive collapse can occur and the casualties will be far more than the Rana Plaza collapse."

Yesterday, the parishad awarded 165 Harijans, 41 posthumously, for establishing human rights and dignity since the parishad started its journey in 1998. A cultural programme was also held.