Government, vessel owners fail to find solution to Bangladesh waterways strike

A meeting between the government representatives and owners of vessels has ended without any solution to the ongoing waterways workers' strike that has grounded vessels on all major ports of Bangladesh.

After Thursday's meeting, Labour Affairs Director FM Ashrafuzzaman, however, hoped a solution to the impasse would be found at the earliest.

The Water Transport Workers’ Sangram Parishad enforced the nationwide indefinite strike at midnight on Monday in a bid to force the authorities to raise the minimum wages, among other demands

Another round of meeting with workers and owners is in the offing, Ashrafuzzaman said.

Meanwhile, waterways traffic from Dhaka's launch terminal was almost normal on Thursday just like the first two days of the strike. Some more vessels were seen preparing to depart.

Ashrafuzzaman told the media Thursday's three-hour meeting with the owners followed Wednesday night's meeting with workers.

Vessel owners' platform, Bangladesh Inland Passenger Transportation Organisation President Mahbub said, "We are discussing it. We will be able to tell you more about it later."

Joint Director of the labour ministry Aminul Islam was also present at the meeting.

BIWTA Transport Inspector Humayun Kabir said 10 launches have departed from Sadarghat in Dhaka for different destinations since morning and up to noon.

He added that 50 launches have been operational during the day.