Bangladesh
Transport Strike Commuters in peril as transport workers call indefinite strike in Sylhet from Monday
Dhaka, November 22: Commuters have been hit hard by the indefinite strike called by transport workers in Sylhet from Monday across the northeastern division to drive home their five-point demand.
The strike was announced by the Sylhet division chapter of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers' Federation (BRTWF) on Sunday.
BRTWF's Organizing Secretary Zakaria Ahmed told UNB that all modes of public transport, including buses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and freight trucks will stay off the roads in Sylhet from 6:00 am onwards.
He also said that long-distance transport will not be allowed to either enter or leave Sylhet during the strike.
"On November 9, we submitted our five-point demand to the deputy commissioner of Sylhet. As no initiative has been taken, all modes of public transport in Sylhet division will be staying off the roads indefinitely from Monday as per our previously announced program,” Dhaka Tribune quoted Ahmed as saying.
The demands are: -
Dissolving Sylhet's District Tempo and Autorickshaw Workers’ Federation committee and holding a fresh election. Protesters have alleged that the existing body was 'elected uncontested';
Charges to be dropped against transport workers;
Police to stop "harassment" on highways;
No toll on bridges after the end of collection period;
Parking facilities for smaller passenger vehicles like microbuses, human haulers and auto-rickshaws at different locations.
