quota system

noun

1. a system, originally determined by legislation in 1921, of limiting by nationality the number of immigrants who may enter the U.S. each year.
2. a policy of limiting the number of minority group members in a business firm, school, etc.
3. any hiring or admissions policy requiring that a specified number or percentage of minority group members be hired or admitted.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quota system¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

It was a simple demand for reform of a quota system which reserved some public sector jobs for the relatives of war heroes, who fought for the country’s independence from Pakistan in 1971, that sparked the protest movement in the first place.

From BBC

About 300 people have been killed since protests broke out a month ago over a quota system for government jobs.

From BBC

The quota system has now been scaled back by the government following a Supreme Court ruling, but students have continued protesting - now demanding justice for those who died or have been injured or detained.

From BBC

On 14 July, she continued to justify the quota system by reinforcing the divide between the descendants of pro-liberation and anti-liberation forces.

From BBC

Scrapped in 2018 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, the quota system was reinstated by a lower court last month, sparking huge protests.

From BBC