Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is calling for the civil unrest in Bangladesh to come to an end.

Weeks of escalating unrest and violence has resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people, which is causing great angst amongst the Bangladeshi community in Australia.

“I’ve been approached by members of the Bangladeshi community in my electorate who are very concerned about the situation unfolding in their home country,” Mr Coulton said.

“Communications have been blacked out and many people have been unable to contact loved ones and family members back in Bangladesh.

“It’s understandably very upsetting for all involved.

“I’d like to express my support for the Bangladeshi community in the Parkes electorate and join them in calling for this violence to end and for all parties to resolve their differences peacefully.”

The nationwide unrest has stemmed from what began as peaceful protests on university campuses in response to the government’s job quota system.

More than half of well-paid public sector jobs are reserved for specific groups, including a third for the relatives of veterans from the country’s war for independence from Pakistan in 1971. The students have been arguing that the system is discriminatory and are asking for recruitment based on merit.

Bangladesh’s top court has now scrapped most of the quotas on government jobs, however protests are continuing.

Mr Coulton said he hopes a peaceful solution can be reached imminently.