Water transport workers enforce indefinite strike

Water transport workers went on an indefinite strike across the country from Friday midnight to press home their 11-point demand, including increasing wages, reports UNB.

Bangladesh Water Transport Workers’ Federation called the strike on Friday.

The workers’ demands include providing risk allowance, stopping extortion, and ensuring clean water and food.

Passengers suffered as movement of all types of vessels remained halted on 33 routes including Dhaka’s Sadarghat, Chandpur, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Vandira and Jhalakati.

Operation of lighterage vessels were also suspended at Chattogram river port.

This is the third time they are going on strike to realise their demands, UNB quoted Shah Alam Bhuiyan, president of Bangladesh Water Transport Workers’ Federation, as saying.

He said they have been forced to go on an indefinite strike since their demands are yet to be fulfilled.

BIWTA’s joint director (Dhaka river port), AKM Arifuddin said the owners and workers are scheduled to hold talks around 11:00am.