‘Stand by 9m jobless transport workers’

Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity has urged the transport leaders to stand by 9 million workers who have become jobless amid coronavirus shutdown, reports UNB.

BJKS, a passengers' welfare platform, came up with the call in a statement signed by its secretary general Mozammel Haque Chowdhury on Monday.

"There are 7 million workers and owners from roads sector and 2 million from shipping sector. After government's announcement of general holidays from 26 March, the workers became jobless and they are now leading miserable life. As there is no wage board for the transport workers, 98 per cent workers work there on daily basis income like a day labourer," according to the statement.

As public transport services have been suspended, there is no other source of income for them. Considering the situation, leaders of the organisations are being requested to stand by them with support, it said.