The reason that many recruiters ask if you contribute to open-source projects is because it shows you have a passion for software development, because you work on it in your spare time even if you are not being paid to do it. Therefore an employer is more likely to choose you rather than someone who just does it for a job.
- Is requiring from a person doing a job after job instead of fulfilling private obligations fair?
- Is this a good measure of passion , and moreover responsibility? People with private obligations are discriminated with this measure. They can be passionate during work but can not prove it, because they don't have time after work for contribution.
- If someone really is passionate about contributing to open source and a company also indicates it is a job qualifications measure - should't the company also be passionate and designate paid time for contribution?