Water transport workers start indefinite strike

Published : 20 Oct 2020, 11:42

Sahos Desk

A Bangladesh-wide strike to press home for an 11-point demand charter, including an appointment letter and food allowance, was imposed by the water transport staff.

The strike, called jointly by the Federation of Water Transport Workers of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Lighterage Workers Union, began at 12:01 a.m.

The strike has theoretically halted water transport operations on the 43 routes connecting the southern districts to the rest of the country.

In the meantime, since 6 pm on Monday, Chattogram Lighterage Workers' Union members have already begun their job abstention program.

After taking goods from various mother vessels docked at the Chattogram port, about 2,500 lighter vessels regularly run on domestic water routes.

Shah E Alma Bunyan, president of the Bangladesh Water Transport Workers' Federation, said that workers have been demonstrating their demands for a long time, but instead of meeting them, the launch owners just gave assurances.

 

11-point demands

 
1. Stop extortion and robbery in vessels and waterways
2. Full implementation of wage scale 2016
3. Food allowance and landing pass for India-bound workers
4. Food and sea allowance for all waterways workers
5. Re-issuance of endorse, in-charge, technical allowances
6. Tk 10 lakh as compensation for the families of the workers in the incident of death at workplace
7. Issuance of appointment letter, identity card and service book by transport owners
8. Setting buoys, beacons, marks and lights for safe navigation
9. Distribution and renewal process of certificates of masters and other workers
10. Stopping irregularities and harassment of workers by Department of Shipping
11. Ensuring social safety of  waterways workers

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