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River transport workers call strike

| Updated: November 30, 2019 12:24:24


- Focus Bangla file photo - Focus Bangla file photo

Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation (BNSF) Friday said it would go on work abstention for an indefinite period from early Saturday to press home their 11-point demand.

The federation leaders took the decision about their work abstention programme at an emergency meeting on Friday.

At the meeting, they also called upon the government and launch owners to fulfil their demands immediately through discussions with them.

Prokash Dutta, office secretary of BNSF, told the FE on Friday that they urged the government and launch-cargo owners several times in the past to meet their demands.

The demands are: Stopping toll collection and violence on river routes, issuing identity cards and service books to employees/workers, providing them with food allowance and issuing landing pass during travel to India.

Other demands include introducing welfare and provident/contributory funds, paying salaries and other allowances as per the gazette of 2016, ensuring navigability in rivers for safe movement of water vessels at night, stopping harassment and mismanagement of department of shipping and increasing allowance for in-charge, technicians and others.

Earlier, the Ministry of Labour at a meeting on November 27 assured the workers (noujan sramik) of meeting their demands by March 2020.

Leaders only from two owners' associations attended the meeting.

The owners' associations are: Bangladesh Cargo Vessels Owners' Association, Coastal Ship Owners' Association of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Inland Waterways Passenger Carrier Association, Bangladesh Launch Owners' Association, and Khulna Division Inland Launch Owners' Association.

The workers, however, did not go on the strike as the government assured them of fulfilling their demands. But they are now observing the strike following a decision taken at a meeting on Friday.

During the ongoing strike, launches from Dhaka River Terminal at Sadarghat and other places will not operate, according to BNSF.

Bangladesh Lighterage Sramik Union, Bangladesh Cargo Trawler Bulkhead Sramik Union and Bangladesh Noujan Sramik League are observing the strike.

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