Vessel strike partially postponed
UNB
Two days after its enforcement press for a 15-point demand, the vessel strike was partially postponed last night, reports UNB. The decision was taken after a meeting of Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation and Bangladesh River Vessel Workers Federation at Sadarghat launch terminal around 8pm, said Vessel Workers Federation president Shah Alam Bhuiyan.
They decided to put on hold their strike and run only passenger-carrying vessels until May 10 following assurances from the government of meeting their demands and considering the sufferings of passengers, he said.
They also decided not to run the cargo and transport vessels until their demands are met, Shah Alam added. Vessel workers went on an indefinite strike across the country on Wednesday midnight to press home their 15-point demand.
The strike, jointly enforced by Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation and Bangladesh River Vessel Workers Federation, began on the 37 route across the country.
The associations demands include raising the minimum basic wage of the vessel workers to Tk 10,000 from the existing Tk 4,150, giving them formal appointment, issuing identity cards and service book, and ensuring their social security.
As the strike got underway, most of the river vessels, including launches, and goods, sand and oil-laden ones, stayed off the waterways across the country, causing immense sufferings to people.
Meanwhile, the Labour and Employment Ministry will sit in a meeting with the striking vessel workers, and owners on Saturday afternoon in this regard.
