Water transport workers go on indefinite strike

Water transport workers went on an indefinite strike since Wednesday morning to press home their 11-point demand.

The strike began around 6am as part of the workers’ pre-scheduled programme and caused immense sufferings to the commuters.

Launches on the Dhaka-Chandpur route remained suspended, forcing people to travel by bus to reach their destinations.

A number of passengers were seen waiting at the Chandpur launch terminal for hours in the morning.

On July 20, Bangladesh Water Transport Workers’ Federation announced the strike.

Their demands included an end to extortion, security of workers, providing Tk 10 lakh as compensation for workers killed in accidents while discharging duties and increase of their wages.

Biplab Sarkar, president of the district unit of River Transport Workers League, said launch movement on the route would remain suspended until there is a decision from the federation.

The workers had gone on strike on April 15. Later, a meeting was held among representatives of the workers, owners and the state. The meeting accepted all demands and promised to implement them within 45 days.

As per the decision, a meeting was scheduled to be held on July 15 but no representatives of the owners joined it.